The Queen appears on the Buckingham Palace balcony as Jubilee celebrations end

The Queen delighted Platinum Jubilee revellers by making a much-anticipated Buckingham Palace balcony appearance that set the seal on four days of celebrations. Surrounded by her family, the monarch was cheered by thousands of well-wishers after the Platinum Pageant told the story of her life, and the nation, with an eccentric, fun and imaginative carnival-like display.

Smiling as she acknowledged the spectators, she looked down on The Mall where tens of thousands had waited in hope of seeing the 96-year-old head of state. During the Queen’s appearance a choir of celebrities including Sir David Jason, Harry Redknapp, Sir Cliff Richard, Sandie Shaw and Felicity Kendal took part in a mass rendition of God Save The Queen.

The four-day Bank Holiday celebrations brought neighbours, towns and much of the nation together as they marked the 70-year reign of the country’s longest-serving monarch. The Queen’s balcony appearance, closing the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, lasted less than three minutes. During that time the thousands of people on The Mall sang the National Anthem.

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On the final day of festivities celebrating the Queen’s 70-year reign, a ceremonial military procession launched the Platinum Jubilee Pageant. Guardsmen, Gurkhas, Royal Marines and the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in their breastplates and plumed feathers were among the hundreds of servicemen and women who led the way marching along the streets around Buckingham Palace.

The Queen was missing from the royal box earlier but she later made an appearance for the carnival’s finale when her royal standard was raised above Buckingham Palace indicating she was in residence. She later