‘While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all.’
The Queen reaffirms her commitment to serve the nation in a poignant finale to the Platinum Jubilee
AFTER four wonderful days of celebration, the Queen gave the nation the most moving of finales to the Platinum Jubilee with a surprise appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Her Majesty had been forced to miss the previous two days’ events, raising concerns about whether she would be well enough to play any part yesterday. But a woman who has never let her country down in 70 years was not about to do so now, and gave a huge crowd in the Mall – and a TV audience of one billion – a moment to cherish.
While her advancing years may be limiting her mobility, the Queen made it clear that her determination to do her duty remains undimmed at the age of 96, with a renewed pledge to serve her country “to the best of my ability”.
In a Thank You message to all those who had taken part in jubilee celebrations around the world, she said: “When it comes to how to mark 70 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 message recalled the promise she made on her 21st birthday to committing her whole life to service.
Her balcony appearance not only provided a perfect ending to the celebrations, but was also laden with symbolism and poignancy. The late Prince Philip was represented by the walking stick the Queen clutched tightly in her hand which had belonged to the man who was her “strength and stay”. And after four days of reflecting on the past, Her Majesty gave Britain a vision of its future as our next three kings stood by her side. Princes Charles, William and George shared the moment with the Queen, in a display of confidence that the monarchy will outlast almost everyone who witnessed the moment. As she stepped on to the balcony for an appearance that lasted just under three minutes, the Queen described the scene in front of her as “fabulous”, telling her family: “Oh my goodness, oh look at this.”
After the crowd sang the National Anthem, she turned to Prince George and said: “Wow! Did you expect that?”
The celebrations had begun on Thursday with the polish and precision of Trooping the Colour and the Service of Thanksgiving on Friday, before Saturday’s pop concert, and the pageant finale featuring more than 7,800
performers and 1,800 military personnel in a two-mile long tribute.
Yet for all the pomp and pyrotechnics, it would surely have been the pictures of thousands of street parties up and down the nation that gave Her Majesty the most pleasure by fostering “kinship”, as she put it, and creating bonds that will long outlast the bunting.
The Prince of Wales was optimistic about the lasting effects of the Jubilee, telling a guest at a lunch in the Oval cricket ground: “When it comes to Monday are we going to go back to all the bickering again? Let’s hope we don’t do that.”
It may be a tall order, but it was certainly a weekend that made every one of us feel better about ourselves, and about our country. And for that, we all know who to thank.