Parade ends Queen's Jubilee celebrations

Four days of celebrations to mark Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee culminated in a colourful pageant. Heading up the procession was the Gold State carriage which had transported Queen Elizabeth II to her coronation.

Following this came a public parade of scenes reflecting changes in music, dance, fashion and society since she came to the throne in 1952.

Over 10,000 people from the UK and Commonwealth countries were involved in the parade costing £15 million to stage. Across the four days, hundreds of thousands of spectators had thronged the streets of London to catch a glimpse of the royal family and the celebrations.

Many of those had come from around the world just for the event, such as Californian Kim Darcy.

Kim Darcy: "Well, it, it was – very exhilarating – a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Especially when we actually got to see the Queen come out on the balcony. That was just – everyone around me was, was crying, especially singing the anthem. And it was just, it was unreal. And I'm so fortunate to be here to experience it."

Due to mobility problems the Queen, now aged 96, had been unable to attend many jubilee events in person. However, at the end of the parade she made an appearance on the balcony with three generations of future monarchs.

Getting to see the British monarch in person left Tim Lunze from Germany overcome with excitement.

Tim Lunze: "It's was very exciting. I am – it was one moment in life that is, that I see, see her because not many people can, could see her. And we were running and running and running and then we stand in front of the balcony. And at this, until this moment you don't know if, if she come or if she not come. And then she come and it was, was so nice."

The Queen's appearance on the balcony was really the only way to end the celebrations for Colin Hewitt from Manchester.

Colin Hewitt: "Only way to end – see the queen, say goodbye and we'll see you again. Yeah, the best way to end the show, yes." Weniger anzeigen