(London) – Hundreds of thousands of people cheered, sang patriotic songs and waved Union Jack flags outside Buckingham Palace in a spectacular finale to four days of celebrations honouring Queen Elizabeth’s 60 years on the British throne. The 86-year-old beamed at the throng and waved from the balcony of the palace, accompanied by the senior members of her family.
The grand Mall avenue leading to the queen’s London residence was turned into a sea of red, white and blue as well-wishers flooded the road to hail the queen before a flypast led by the Spitfires which won the Battle of Britain and concluded with an aerobatic display by the Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows.
Celebrations outside Buckingham Palace closed when soldiers fired a rifle salute, then thrust their bearskin hats in the air to lead the crowds beyond the palace gates in a rousing three cheers to the queen, the only British monarch other than Queen Victoria to have reigned for 60 years. As the ecstatic crowd roared its approval, Elizabeth flanked by son and heir Charles, his wife Camilla, Prince William and his new wife Kate as well as brother Harry, gave one final wave before heading inside.
