Save the best for last!
On June 5, Queen Elizabeth II, 96, made a surprise appearance at the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, the final event of a four-day celebration marking her 70 years on the throne. The ceremonial monarch, who suffers from mobility problems and had been absent from the festivities since June 2, greeted the crowd from a Buckingham Palace balcony, along with her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles and wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, plus Prince William and Kate Middleton and their sons Prince George, 8, and Prince Louis, 4, and daughter Princess Charlotte, 7.
The Queen, who walked with a cane, and the princess, who many fans believe resembles her, shared a heartwarming twinning moment: Both greeted the crowd gathered below with Her Majesty's signature wave, with Charlotte taking the initiative following years of observing her great-grandmother at royal events.
Moments before, her family members and the spectators gathered outside the palace sang the British national anthem, "God Save the Queen."
Earlier in the day, William, Kate and their kids watched the Platinum Jubilee Pageant from another location. The event featured a parade and musical performances from artists such as Ed Sheeran on a stage set up outside the palace. Celebrities such as supermodels Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell and singer Sir Cliff Richard made official appearances onboard decorated double decker buses.
The Queen, who last greeted the public at her belated birthday parade Trooping the Colour on June 2 (where she appeared with even more family members on the palace balcony), shared a special message for her supporters.
"When it comes to how to mark seventy years as your Queen, there is no guidebook to follow. It really is a first," read a message posted on her behalf on the Royal Family's Instagram page. "But I have been humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee."
The post continued, "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."
See photos of the Queen and her family celebrating her Platinum Jubilee:
Queen Elizabeth II makes a surprise appearance with her family on a Buckingham Palace balcony during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, the final Platinum Jubilee event, on June 5.
Queen Elizabeth II and Charlotte give Her Majesty's signature wave.
Queen Elizabeth II appears with son Prince Charles, his son Prince William and his eldest kids Prince George, 8, and Princess Charlotte, 7, on a Buckingham Palace balcony during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.
Will and Kate's daughter looks at her great-grandmother.
Kate Middleton, Prince William and kids Louis, Charlotte and George appear at the Platinum Jubilee Pageant. Also spotted: William's cousin Zara Tindall's husband Mike Tindall and their daughter Mia Tindall, plus British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Louis cheers at the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.
Louis kisses mom Kate at the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.
Louis appears with mom Kate at the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.
George looks perplexed at the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.
George appears with dad William at the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.
Kate offers some helpful words to Louis.
Kate appears with Louis, Charlotte, George and William.
Louis waves while seated in between mom Kate and sister Charlotte.
Kate Middleton, Prince William and George and Charlotte watch the performances at the Platinum Party at the Palace, a musical celebration for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee in front of Buckingham Palace, on June 4, 2022.
Charlotte and George enjoy the Platinum Party at The Palace.
The crowd enjoyed music by Adam Lambert and Queen, Rod Stewart and Diana Ross, as well as performances from Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lin Manuel Miranda, and the London casts of Hamilton, The Phantom Of The Opera, The Lion King, Six and Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat.
The four had a blast!
Earlier in the day, William, Kate, Charlotte and George visited Cardiff Castle in Wales as part of the festivities for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.
The family greets fans at Cardiff Castle.
The family speaks to fans.
The four check out the Platinum Jubilee Celebration Concert's music setup backstage during their visit to Cardiff Castle.
Kate and William's eldest two kids join them at Cardiff Castle.
Kate holds Charlotte's hand.
The little princess and prince appear together with mom Kate.
William appears with his kids.
The family joins Queen Elizabeth II and other royals on a Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the Trooping the Colour parade, an annual belated birthday celebration for the ceremonial monarch, who turned 96 in April, which is also part of the Platinum Jubilee festivities.