The 96-year-old monarch had pulled out of several events during the four-day celebrations due to “periodic mobility issues”. On Sunday, she was greeted with huge cheers, trumpets and a rendition of the national anthem before retreating indoors.
Dressed in bright green, the Queen smiled and waved as she appeared alongside her son and heir Charles, her grandson William and her eldest child, George. Camilla, wife of Charles, Kate, wife of William, and their two youngest children formed the unusually small family group on the balcony.
“I was humbled and deeply touched that so many people took to the streets to celebrate my platinum jubilee,” she said in a statement.
“Even though I did not attend all of the events in person, my heart was with you all; and I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability, supported by my family.”
The queen was forced to miss some of the events due to discomfort with the trip and the activity they required, the palace said, issues that have caused her to cancel a number of engagements recently.
She reigned longer than any of her predecessors, ascending the throne in 1952, aged just 25, inheriting the dominance of a Britain still emerging from the ravages of the Second World War and with Winston Churchill as Prime Minister.
The balcony appearance capped off the final day of the national celebration, with a colorful and eccentric parade through London, with military bands, vintage cars, dancers and celebrities marching through the streets.
The golden state carriage that carried the Queen to Westminster Abbey for her crown in 1953 was part of the parade, seen in public for the first time in 20 years.
Representatives of various communities across Britain and the Commonwealth danced and paraded through the streets, while other performers dressed up as animals, nuns, cake stands and people from each decade of the Queen’s reign. .
Once the show was over, the crowd marched up the grand boulevard of the Mall to stand in front of Buckingham Palace and wave the Union flags. Singer Ed Sheeran also performed.
After the queen returned inside, the “Mamma Mia” cast performed “Dancing Queen” on stage.
DANCING QUEEN
Hundreds of thousands of royal supporters staged street parties or gathered in London to witness the Jubil festivities in what is for many the first major national public event since the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the first three days included the more traditional schedule of a military parade, a Royal Air Force flypast and a service of thanksgiving, Sunday’s events included races between Corgis, the breed of dog adored by the queen.
The monarch also appeared in a pre-recorded comedy sketch with Paddington Bear ahead of a pop concert outside Buckingham Palace on Saturday, before tapping along to the Queen’s anthem “We Will Rock You”.
Another star of the Jubil was 4-year-old Prince Louis, the youngest son of Prince William, who had previously cried during a flypast. On Sunday, he made faces at his mother and tried to stop her from talking. He also bounced on his grandfather Charles’ lap, while looking bored.
The contest featured more than 100 “national treasures” ranging from former footballer Gary Lineker and model Kate Moss to runner Mo Farah and children’s TV puppet Basil Brush.
A series of “Big Jubilee Lunches” have been held across Britain and 600 such gatherings have also taken place in Canada, Brazil, New Zealand, Japan, South Africa and elsewhere.
Opinion polls suggest that a majority of Britons want the monarchy to remain, and indicate overwhelming support for the Queen herself.
Sheila Clark, 64 and a Glasgow teacher, said seeing the family on the balcony made her weekend.
“It’s been absolutely fabulous,” she told Reuters. “I saw the Queen on the balcony on Thursday. I was delighted to do it, but I didn’t know if she would come today and I didn’t know if I would have the chance to see her.
“It was wonderful.”