Queen Elizabeth Throws Lavish Birthday Bash For Prince Charles

Britain's Queen Elizabeth threw a lavish birthday party for Prince Charles Thursday night. The monarch's eldest son turned 60 Friday and the queen hosted over 450 guests at Buckingham Palace to mark the landmark occasion.

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The queen, husband Prince Philip, Charles, his wife the Duchess of Cornwall Camilla and his sons Princes William and Harry were joined at the bash by Charles's siblings Princess Anne and Princes Andrew and Edward, along with minor royals including Lady Sarah Chatto.

European royals, including Greece's King Constantine, Danish couple Prince Frederik and Princess Mary and Spain's Prince Felipe and his wife Letizia also attended the festivities, along with representatives of the prince's charities.

William and Harry paid tribute to their father, describing him as "an inspiration to us and so many others," before joking they would have to install a chairlift to help him with the stairs at his Highgrove home.

The evening reportedly began with a black-tie champagne reception, followed by a recital by the Philharmonic Orchestra in the ballroom and a lavish dinner featuring Balmoral salmon and venison.

Meanwhile, a new poll has found more people want Charles to succeed the queen than his son William.

The YouGov poll found 42 percent of people were in favor of him becoming the next monarch, compared to 35 percent who thought the throne should skip a generation to be handed to William.

In contrast, a similar poll in 2005 found only 31 percent wanted Charles as king, compared with 42 percent who preferred his son.