REIGNING OVER HER PARADE

OUR SMILING QUEEN KICKED OFF THE PLATINUM JUBILEE AT THE TROOPING THE COLOUR BEFORE BEING JOINED ON THE BALCONY BY HER FAMILY FOR THE FLYPAST

- MICHELLE GARNETT & JENNIFER KYTE

TROOPING ON

For seven long decades, Her Majesty the Queen has served Britain with unstinting devotion. And last Thursday, June 2, the nation’s heartfelt appreciation was wholly evident as she lit up The Mall and beyond during her most poignant and significant appearance yet on the famous Buckingham Palace balcony.

The Queen was joined by family members after they had taken part in Trooping The Colour, an annual tradition to celebrate the Queen’s official birthday. And despite Her Majesty not being able to partake in the parade itself, she played a hugely significant role from the balcony as she inspected the troops below.

The sight of our monarch was a reminder of the promise she had made to her subjects 74 years previously, on her 21st birthday, “My whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service.”

Joining her on the balcony were the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their three children, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George, who stood to her left. Prince Charles, his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and the Princess Royal stood to her right. The crowds erupted with cheers and shouts of “hooray” as the Queen’s beaming smile conveyed how, despite her advancing years and recent health issues, she was determined to enjoy the celebrations to mark her official birthday in her incredible Platinum Jubilee year.

Following the parade, the Queen looked in her element on the balcony as she chatted to her great-grandchildren, who pleased the crowds with their usual cheeky antics on a sunny day in the capital. Their faces lit up as they took in the spectacle before them and the flypast overhead.