London: Queen Elizabeth II turned up at the balcony as four days of public events to mark her historic Platinum Jubilee got underway on a sunny Thursday.
Huge crowds carrying flags and picnic bags gathered near Buckingham Palace, hoping to catch a glimpse of the in what could possibly be the last major public event of her long reign.
The 96-year-old monarch’s appearance at the festivities had been in doubt due to illness and mobility problems. But she didn’t disappoint the massive crowd.
The Queen, dressed in dove blue, took a salute from mounted troops, waved at the crowd and beamed as she stood on the balcony with the Duke of Kent and other members of the royal family.
Elizabeth was a 25-year-old princess when she succeeded her father King George VI in 1952. After 70 years on the throne, she is Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
Four-year-old Prince Louis, who was stood next to his great-grandmother, made a cute picture as he covered his ears during the display.
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, did not join the royal family on the balcony. They were inside the Major General’s Office at Horse Guards Parade, watching Trooping the Colour from the sidelines.
Meghan has not returned to the UK since she and Harry stepped back as senior royals in January 2020.
