THE Queen has sent a moving message to Brits after waving to her cheering fans from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
She thanked the nation – and said she has been “humbled and deeply touched” by the support she has received.
Her missive was released just an hour-and-a-half after she stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Charles, Camilla and the Cambridges to mark the end of the festivities.
Her Majesty seemed moved as crowds sang the national anthem, briefly biting her lip as her eyes scanned the crowds.
She then shared a sweet moment with Prince George, turning to chat with him as she smiled brightly.
The Queen said this evening: “When it comes to how to mark seventy years as your Queen, there is no guidebook to follow. It really is a first.
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“But I have been humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee.
“While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all; and I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability, supported by my family.
“I have been inspired by the kindness, joy and kinship that has been so evident in recent days, and I hope this renewed sense of togetherness will be felt for many years to come.
“I thank you most sincerely for your good wishes and for the part you have all played in these happy celebrations.”
The monarch has missed two days of the revelries after suffering “discomfort”.
But she made a surprise return to Buckingham Palace this evening.
Her Majesty wore bright green and carried a walking aid on her arm as she stepped out in front of cheering crowds.
Royal fans excitedly rushed to the palace after it was revealed she was due to appear.
Wild applause then erupted as she stepped out with Kate, Wills and the royal youngsters.
Prince George, who stood beside his great-grandmother, joined his family to sing God Save the Queen.
The monarch then waved cheerily at those who had gathered for the occasion.
After experiencing some “discomfort” on Thursday, the 96-year-old pulled out of Friday’s service at St Paul’s Cathedral as well as the Epsom Derby yesterday.
But much to the delight of crowds, rumours Her Majesty would appear on the palace balcony began to circulate after the royal standard was raised above the residence.
Charles and Camilla and the Cambridges were then spotted heading for the palace this afternoon.
Kate was seen giving Louis a quick kiss as he joined the family on the balcony today, while William put a hand on his wife’s back as they returned inside.
It comes after Brits and tourists cheered as the Queen appeared as a hologram in the Gold State Coach during today’s Platinum Jubilee pageant.
Excited Brits waved to the image of the monarch as the 240-year-old horse-drawn coach made its way through the street.
The stunning coach has had what insiders described as an MoT-style makeover, 20 years since it last appeared on London’s streets for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
Experts carried out checks on the 24ft four-ton Georgian-era carriage to ensure it was in tip-top shape for the festivities.
ROYAL SPECTACLE
The Queen, 96, previously described the ride in the Gold State Coach during her Coronation in 1953 as “horrible”.
But today royals including William, Kate, Charles and Camilla watched on outside Buckingham Palace as the gold carriage stunned onlookers.
Cheeky Prince Louis – who stole the show at Thursday’s balcony appearance – was spotted beaming as he saw his great-grandmother’s hologram.
The four-day extravaganza to mark the Queen’s incredible 70-year reign has today been rounded off by a Big Jubilee Lunch and the highly-anticipated Platinum Jubilee Page.
Royal revellers lined The Mall ahead of the spectacle in the hope of catching a glimpse of the carriage.
The 3km route taken today is similar to that followed at the coronation in 1953.
National treasures including Ed Sheeran, Sir Cliff Richard, Gary Lineker, Dame Shirley Bassey, Bill Bailey and Gok Wan were involved in the pageant.
It comes as…
- Prince Louis stole the show yet again at the Jubilee pageant as royal fans spotted him poking his tongue out
- William made a hilarious comment about his youngest son’s pranks
- The moment one poor lady nodded off as she sat behind Charles today seems destined to become a meme
- The Queen had a priceless reaction to Charles calling her “Mummy” – after he used the name again at last night’s concert
- Royal fans have criticised the BBC for showing Princess Charlotte looking “bored” last night
The pageant was split into four acts – For Queen and Country, The Time of Our Lives, Let’s Celebrate, and Happy and Glorious – all organised by pageant master, Adrian Evans LVO.
Act one is the military spectacle, celebrating the UK armed forces as well as the military from across the Commonwealth.
The second act, The Time of Our Lives, is a large production showcasing popular culture in Britain from the 1950s through to modern times.
This is where 150 national treasures are taking part to showcase and celebrate how they have helped shape British culture since the Queen’s coronation.
Let’s Celebrate consists of street performances, taking concepts from Carnival, May Day, Mela, Fiesta and Mardi Gras to make one large creative party.
It will feature performers from across the UK, who have all created their own pieces for the pageant.
Finally, everyone will gather around the Queen Victoria memorial outside Buckingham Palace to sing the national anthem for act four, featuring a special tribute to Her Majesty.
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It comes as Prince Charles and Camilla led the festivities at a Big Jubilee Lunch in the capital, one of 85,000 being held across the UK.
The Duchess of Cornwall, patron of the Big Lunch, joined the future king at a flagship feast at The Oval cricket ground in south London.
