The Queen has said she was "humbled and deeply touched" by celebrations for her Platinum Jubilee, telling the nation that she remains "committed to serving you to the best of my ability"
Her Majesty thrilled thousands of well-wishers by appearing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace at the conclusion of the Jubilee Pageant as the extended bank holiday weekend drew to a close.
And she later thanked the nation in a letter, saying that she hoped that "this renewed sense of togetherness will be felt for many years to come".
Queen and royals appear on Buckingham Palace balcony - live jubilee updates
She said: "When it comes to how to mark seventy years as your Queen, there is no guidebook to follow. It really is a first. 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 96-year-old monarch stood with Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at the finale of the street pageant outside Buckingham Palace.
The head of state looked at ease on the balcony as she leaned on her stick, now a routine aid following her mobility issues.
The national anthem was then played, as celebrities including Sir David Jason, Harry Redknapp, Sir Cliff Richard, Sandie Shaw and Felicity Kendal joined in a mass rendition of God Save The Queen.
Around 10,000 people, including a cast of 6,000 performers and an array of stars, took part in the 3km pageant from the Palace of Westminster, along Whitehall to Admiralty Arch and down The Mall to the palace and then St James's Park.
The parade told the story of the Queen's life, and the nation, with an eccentric, fun and imaginative carnival-like display, which included a hologram of the monarch waving in the same Gold State Coach which had taken her to and from her coronation in 1953.
After the pageant was over, thousands of members of the public were allowed to walk up The Mall to outside the Queen's official London residence, where they were treated to a much-anticipated second balcony appearance by the monarch, as well as music from Ed Sheeran.
Members of the Royal Family sat in the royal box to watch the pageant but the Queen was only seen later in the day.
Prince William and Kate tweeted their appreciation of today's London event, writing: "Amazing display of street art, theatre, music, sport and more… What a joyous occasion at the #PlatinumJubilee pageant!"
Meanwhile, millions of people across the UK gathered for patriotic street parties, picnics and barbecues, with more than 85,000 Big Jubilee Lunches held to mark her 70 years on the throne.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall attended one of the lunches, where they were joined by around 500 other guests for the flagship feast at The Oval cricket ground in south London.
Her Majesty was last seen in public on Thursday as she lit a beacon at Windsor Castle on the first day of the celebrations.
Earlier that day she was seen on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch a military flypast, joined by other working royals.
The Queen was unable to attend Friday's thanksgiving service at St Paul's Cathedral and also the Epsom Derby on Saturday due to her mobility problems.
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Prince Louis keeps the crowds entertained
She watched Saturday night's Platinum Party at the Palace from Windsor Castle.
But she also played a starring role, appearing at the beginning of the party coverage in a pre-recorded comic sketch with Paddington Bear, where she revealed, like the furry character, she is partial to a marmalade sandwich.
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During the party outside Buckingham Palace, the monarch received affectionate tributes from the Prince of Wales and national figures, and there was music from the likes of Sir Rod Stewart, Diana Ross and Duran Duran.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMikAFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS90aGUtcXVlZW4tdGhyaWxscy1jcm93ZHMtd2l0aC1hcHBlYXJhbmNlLW9uLWJ1Y2tpbmdoYW0tcGFsYWNlLWJhbGNvbnktYXQtdGhlLWVuZC1vZi1wbGF0aW51bS1qdWJpbGVlLXdlZWtlbmQtMTI2MjgwODPSAZQBaHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLnNreS5jb20vc3RvcnkvYW1wL3RoZS1xdWVlbi10aHJpbGxzLWNyb3dkcy13aXRoLWFwcGVhcmFuY2Utb24tYnVja2luZ2hhbS1wYWxhY2UtYmFsY29ueS1hdC10aGUtZW5kLW9mLXBsYXRpbnVtLWp1YmlsZWUtd2Vla2VuZC0xMjYyODA4Mw?oc=5
2022-06-05 17:15:00Z
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