Top highlights from Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee weekend

Just in case you missed the celebrations, these are the main events from the jubilee weekend

Queen Elizabeth II appears on the balcony of Buckingham Palace at the end of the platinum jubilee pageant on Sunday, day four of her celebrations. PA

It has been an action-packed long weekend for the platinum jubilee, with Queen Elizabeth II appearing on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, flag-waving Windsors and an unexpected royal double act with a famous bear.

Here are some of the highlights from the four days of festivities.

The jubilee queen

After 70 years on the throne, the queen remains the leading lady with the crowds roaring and erupting into three cheers as she stepped on to the Palace balcony, not once but twice, on the first day.

But the brief appearances left the monarch tired.

Queen Elizabeth, 96, rallied to attend a special beacon lighting at Windsor Castle in the evening.

But the palace announced she would be missing the church service on the Friday.

Then, as the finale, she appeared on the balcony after the Pageant on Sunday, bringing the proceedings to a close.

Dressed in a vibrant green double crepe wool dress and coat, she was flanked by a "magnificent seven" of future kings and queens and great-grandchildren as the crowds sang the national anthem.

Scenes on The Mall

The Great British public took to the celebrations with gusto, with hundreds of thousands of flag-waving royal fans packing on to The Mall in central London.

Spring sunshine set the mood for jubilant scenes on Thursday as the crowds gathered in honour of the monarch after the Trooping the Colour spectacle on Thursday.

Louis steals the show

The youngest Cambridge sibling provided the entertainment and captured hearts from the palace balcony.

Louis, 4, let out a howl and covered his ears during the jubilee flypast, with his “Gan Gan” the queen sweetly interacting with her great-grandson, leaning down to chat to him and point out the planes.

He sat on his grandpa, the Prince of Wales’ lap at the jubilee pageant and gave his mum the Duchess of Cambridge a kiss on the cheek and a cuddle.

He stood on his chair, waved his hands in the air, wriggled around and stuck his finger in his ear during the show.

Day 4 of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations - in pictures

The Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla during the Big Jubilee Lunch, with tables set up on the pitch at The Oval cricket ground in London on day four of the platinum jubilee celebrations. PA

People set up tables for the Big Jubilee Lunch on The Long Walk in Windsor. Millions of people are expected to attend 'Big Jubilee Lunch' picnics as the long weekend of festivities to honour the queen's platinum jubilee concludes. AFP

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, arrives for the Big Jubilee Lunch at The Oval cricket ground. AP Photo

People gather for the Big Jubilee Lunch on The Long Walk in Windsor. AFP

Britain's Princess Beatrice, centre, and Princess Eugenie are presented with flowers as they arrive at the Big Jubilee Lunch organised by Westminster Council for local volunteer and community groups. AP Photo

Participants pose for a picture with a cardboard cut-out of the queen on The Long Walk in Windsor. AFP

A reveller arrives to attend a street party in Ashby-de-la-Zouch in central England as part of the platinum jubilee celebrations. AFP

Prince Charles looks at decorations at The Oval cricket ground. Reuters

A picnic table is decorated with cut-outs depicting Britain's Queen Elizabeth in Windsor. Reuters

People dance at Blackpool Tower Ballroom during the platinum jubilee celebrations. Reuters

A woman celebrating ahead of the Big Jubilee Lunch on The Long Walk in Windsor. AFP

A man dressed as a king hangs decorations as he takes part in the Big Jubilee Lunch in Windsor. Reuters

Spectators cross the Mall before the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in front of Buckingham Palace on day four of the celebrations. PA

Balloons are hung ahead of the Big Jubilee Lunch on The Long Walk in Windsor. AFP

People pose for selfies on the Mall ahead of the start of the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in front of Buckingham Palace. PA

Performers dressed as farm animals parade during the Platinum Pageant in London. EPA

Performers on the 1960s bus take part in the Platinum Pageant. AFP

Performers take part in the Platinum Pageant in London as part of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations. AFP

Former Olympic swimmer Duncan Goodhew and opera singer Katherine Jenkins arrive at the pageant. PA

Performers in the pageant. AFP

TV presenter Timmy Mallett at the pageant. PA

TV presenters John Craven, Chris Tarrant and Johnny Ball at the pageant. PA

A participant prepares for the pageant. PA

Sir Cliff Richard climbs onboard the 1950s bus at Horse Guards Parade for the pageant. PA

People take part in a parade during the pageant. Getty

Prince Louis sat on the knee of his grandfather the Prince of Wales during the pageant. PA

Naomi Campbell and Kanya King on a bus as part of the pageant. Getty

Princess Charlotte, Prince George and their father Prince William enjoy the pageant. PA

Members of the public watch the pageant in Westminster, London. PA

Revellers celebrate near Windsor Castle, Britain. EPA

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and her son Prince George. AFP

Model Kate Moss and actress Patsy Kensit during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant outside Buckingham Palace. AP

People parade during the pageant. AP

Girls climb a street sign for a better view of the parade in London. PA

A cut out of Queen Elizabeth II in a window near Windsor Castle. EPA

Performers from Edinburgh Festival Carnival entertain the crowds in Princess Street Gardens in Edinburgh, Scotland, during a platinum jubilee event. PA

Children enjoy a street party in Edinburgh. PA

Actress Joan Collins at the London pageant. EPA

People take part in The Big Lunch on the Long Walk, Windsor Castle. EPA

A woman participates in the Windsor Castle event. EPA

Vintage cars in front of Buckingham Palace during the London pageant. PA

Singer Katherine Jenkins at the pageant. AFP

A dog wearing a crown at the Big Jubilee Lunch in Windsor. Getty

People parade during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant outside Buckingham Palace in London. AP Photo

Prince Edward, and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, pose for a photo with attendees of the Big Jubilee Lunch in Windsor. AFP

A hologram of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is projected on the Gold State Coach during the pageant in London. AFP

Beacons

A chain of more than 3,500 beacons stretching across the UK and around the Commonwealth were set ablaze late on the first evening, marking the jubilee in the time-honoured way.

Beacons lit around the world to mark Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee - in pictures

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II prepares to touch the Commonwealth Nations Globe to start the lighting of the principal beacon outside of Buckingham Palace in London, from the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, as part of Platinum Jubilee celebrations on June 2, 2022 in Windsor, England. Getty

The Commonwealth of Nations' Globe which was touched by Queen Elizabeth II to symbolically lead the lighting of the principal jubilee beacon at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Thursday June 2, 2022, on day one of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. AP

Britain's Queen Elizabeth leads the lighting of the principal jubilee beacon, as part of platinum jubilee celebrations, at Windsor Castle, Britain June 2, 2022. Reuters

Fireworks over Windsor Castle after Queen Elizabeth II symbolically leads the lighting of the principal jubilee beacon, as part of a chain of more than 3,500 flaming tributes to her 70-year-reign, on day one of the platinum jubilee celebrations. Reuters

Fireworks explode above Windsor Castle during the lighting of the principal platinum jubilee beacon ceremony during the Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations in Windsor, Britain, June 2, 2022. Reuters

Fireworks explode above Windsor Castle during the lighting of the principal platinum jubilee beacon ceremony during the Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations in Windsor, Britain, June 2, 2022. Reuters

Fireworks explode above Windsor Castle during the lighting of the principal platinum jubilee beacon ceremony during the Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations in Windsor, Britain, June 2, 2022. Reuters

Fireworks explode above Windsor Castle during the lighting of the principal platinum jubilee beacon ceremony during the Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations in Windsor, Britain, June 2, 2022. Reuters

General view of the 'Tree Of Trees' created by Designer Thomas Heatherwick at the principal beacon at Buckingham Palace, London, on day one of the platinum jubilee celebrations. PA

Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (L), and Nicholas Bacon, Chair of the Queen's Green Canopy, attend a special ceremony for the lighting of the principal beacon at Buckingham Palace in London on June 2, 2022, as part of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations. AFP

US singer Gregory Porter performs at a special ceremony for the lighting of the principal beacon at Buckingham Palace in London on June 2, 2022, as part of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. AFP

Britain's Prince William meets with singer Gregory Porter during the lighting of the principal beacon, as part of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations, at Buckingham Palace, in London, Britain June 2, 2022. Reuters

Projections are seen displayed on the front of the Buckingham Palace during the lighting of the principal jubilee beacon, as part of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations, in London, Britain June 2, 2022. Reuters

Fireworks burst over Buckingham Palace in London Monday 3 June 2002, after Britain's Queen Elizabeth II lit a beacon to commemorate her platinum jubilee. AFP

A platinum jubilee beacon is lit at Coutts bank in central London, Thursday June 2, 2022, on day one of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum Jubilee celebrations. PA

People view a virtual beacon onscreen during Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations at Picadilly Circus in London, Britain June 2, 2022. Reuters

A general view of the beacon before it's lit, during celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee beacon lighting, in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland June 2, 2022. Reuters

A platinum jubilee beacon is lit after a service of thanksgiving, at St. Macartin's Cathedral Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, on day one of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations. Reuters

Fireworks explode overhead during the Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee beacon lighting ceremony at Cawfield Quarry on Hadrian’s Wall on June 02, 2022 in Haltwhistle, England. Getty

Bugler Captain Jonathan Miller from Durham Army Cadet Force salutes during Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee beacon lighting ceremony at Cawfield Quarry on Hadrian’s Wall on June 02, 2022 in Haltwhistle, England. Getty

A Roman archer waits to fire flaming arrows into a floating beacon on the lake during Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee beacon lighting ceremony at Cawfield Quarry on Hadrian’s Wall on June 02, 2022 in Haltwhistle, England. Getty

A platinum jubilee beacon is lit in Cardiff Bay, on day one of Queen Elizabth II's platinum jubilee celebrations. PA

A platinum jubilee beacon is lit by Lord Provost Robert Aldridge and Commander of Edinburgh Garrison Lieutenant Colonel Lorne Campbell at Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, Thursday June 2, 2022, on day one of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations. PA

A platinum jubilee beacon on Blyth beach, north east England, Thursday June 2, 2022, on day one of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations. PA

Platinum jubilee beacons are lit outside the Royal Liver Building, Liverpool, England, Thursday June 2, 2022, on day one of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations. PA

Platinum jubilee beacons are lit outside the Royal Liver Building, Liverpool, on day one of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations. PA

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese lights the beacon for Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations in Canberra, Australia, Thursday, June 2, 2022. AP

The principal beacon was a 21-metre living Tree of Trees sculpture towering above Buckingham Palace, symbolically lit by the queen from Windsor while the Duke of Cambridge watched in London.

The return of Harry and Meghan

It had been a while but the return of the Sussexes for the first time at an official public royal occasion since Megxit drew much media attention.

All eyes were on Prince Harry and Meghan at the service of thanksgiving in St Paul Cathedral on Friday.

But the reunion of Prince Harry and the Duke of Cambridge proved elusive, with the Sussexes sitting in the second row, far across the aisle from his father, brother and sister-in-law Kate.

Penguin feeding and leading the band

Members of the royal family toured the UK, with Anne, the Princess Royal, feeding penguins in Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland and Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, pulling a pint of Guinness during a trip to Bangor in Northern Ireland.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte made a surprise appearance at Cardiff Castle on their first official visit to Wales

The excited princess conducted the orchestra in a rendition of We Don’t Talk About Bruno from the Disney film Encanto, while Prince George played with the sound and lighting decks, as they met performers preparing for a jubilee concert at the castle.

The Queen and Paddington bear

The monarch delighted the nation when she starred alongside Paddington in a surprise comedy sketch and showed the bear from deepest, darkest Peru how she stored marmalade sandwiches in her famous black Launer handbag.

Offering a fresh insight into the Queen’s sense of humour and her wry wit, the secretly filmed skit played at the start of the BBC’s Platinum Party at the Palace on Saturday night, showed the pair enjoying a chaotic afternoon tea.

Royal sing-song

The Cambridges enjoyed the party atmosphere as the family sang along with the tunes at the jubilee concert.

Prince George belted out Sweet Caroline, while the Duke of Cambridge knew the words to Jason Donovan’s rendition of Any Dream Will Do.

Charles’s moving tribute

“You laugh and cry with us and, most importantly, you have been there for us,” Prince Charles told Queen Elizabeth in a moving thank-you toast at the televised concert.

Calling the monarch "Mummy", he took to the stage to praise the queen for her “lifetime of selfless service”.

He rallied the crowd into cheering the absent monarch who was 30 kilometres away at Windsor, saying if they were “loud enough she might, might just hear us”.

Stars of the show

Acts including Queen + Adam Lambert, Alicia Keys and Eurovision’s Sam Ryder were loudly cheered at the star-studded show.

Soul legend Diana Ross closed the open-air set, with her first live performance in the UK in 15 years.

Corgi drones

Drones flying over the Palace created a giant corgi in the sky and spelled out the message, “Thank you Ma’am” in lights, thrilling concert goers.

Big jubilee lunches

As many as 18 million people are believed to have gathered with their friends, families and neighbours for traditional jubilee street parties on Sunday for the final day of the celebrations

The Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla mingled with guests at the flagship big jubilee lunch at The Oval cricket ground.

Prince Charles said he hoped “bickering” did not return after a feeling of “togetherness” across the nation over the weekend.

The Pageant

A cast of 6,000 performers took to the streets of central London, with the procession spared the rain.

Those attending enjoyed a parade of hundreds of “national treasures” including Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, and Sir Cliff Richard, with Ed Sheeran taking the stage at the end.

The Queen’s message

At the end of the weekend, the queen pledged to continue to serve as monarch “to the best of my ability supported by my family”.

It was an acknowledgment of her fragility but a commitment to continue as monarch.

She said in her written message that she was “humbled and deeply touched” by the public’s reaction to her 70 years, adding: “While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all.”

Royal fashion at platinum jubilee celebrations - in pictures

The Duchess of Cambridge wears a white dress coat, thought to be Alexander McQueen, with a black and white Philip Treacy hat and a pair of sapphire earrings for Trooping the Colour. PA

Queen Elizabeth II wore a summery shade of light blue to watch the Trooping the Colour parade. PA

Left; Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who wore a blue striped dress coat and wide-brimmed blue hat. Right; Kate, Duchess of Cambridge. Reuters

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, wears a pink gingham dress coat with a pink hat. Getty Images

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's children Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte. Getty Images

Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn. AFP