Largely absent from her platinum jubilee due to declining health, but “determined” to continue to serve her subjects, Elizabeth II made a surprise appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on Sunday, the last day of celebrations with the scent of a change of era.
She surprised her subjects by returning to the famous balcony, accompanied by her heirs Princes Charles, 73, and William, soon to be 40, with wives and children, embodying the future of the monarchy. She greeted the tens of thousands of people massed on the Mall, the avenue leading to the palace. Leaning on a cane, dressed in green, she stayed while the anthem was played.God Save The Queen‘ and then left.
“I am deeply touched that so many people took to the streets to celebrate my platinum jubilee.“, declared the monarch in a message made public by Buckingham Palace and signed by her hand.