Queen Elizabeth II was joined by thousands of Brits when she marked 70 years on the throne over four glorious days of royal pomp and pageantry in what would be her final public celebration before her death on September 8.
Elizabeth's attendance at Britain's first-ever Platinum Jubilee was not guaranteed after health scares in October and November 2021.
Over the following months, there were numerous canceled visits by Britain's head of state, who had to pull out of reading her annual speech at the State Opening of Parliament in May 2022.
However, the queen overcame her episodic mobility problems to appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony on two separate days and also started the lighting of more than 3,000 jubilee beacons in Britain and overseas territories.
Celebrating the Queen's 70 Years on the Throne
The festivities kicked off with Trooping the Colour, Elizabeth's birthday parade, on June 2, where Prince Louis was the star of the show, theatrically blocking his ears as RAF planes flew past overhead.
The queen could not take the salute on the parade ground during the ceremony, with Prince Charles, Prince William and Princess Anne standing in for her.
However, she appeared on the balcony twice, first to take a special salute alongside the Duke of Kent and again accompanied by working royals.
There was politics to negotiate, too, as Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were denied a spot on the balcony but permitted to watch with other family members from a side office.
Prince Andrew, disgraced by the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, was also barred from the balcony and did not attend.
Elizabeth made it back to Windsor Castle to begin the lighting of jubilee beacons, though the palace announced she would not make a planned church service the following day.
Queen 'Did Experience Some Discomfort' at Jubilee
A statement read: "The Queen greatly enjoyed today's Birthday Parade and Flypast but did experience some discomfort."
She was back though to watch the closing Platinum Pageant on June 5, when the streets of London once again thronged with thousands of royalists eager to celebrate her milestone.
The queen expressed her gratitude in a special thank you message that same day: "When it comes to how to mark seventy years as your Queen, there is no guidebook to follow. It really is a first. But I have been humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee.
"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."
About the writer
Jack Royston is Newsweek's Chief Royal Correspondent based in London, U.K. He reports on the British royal family—including King Charles ... Read more
