In a moment that captured the hearts of thousands, Queen Elizabeth II made a memorable appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, surrounded by her family and adoring fans.

The emotional monarch, visibly touched by the warm reception, exclaimed, “Oh my goodness, oh look at this!” as she took in the fabulous crowd gathered to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee.

Turning to her great-grandson, Prince George, she asked, “Wow!

Did you expect that?” to which the young prince replied with a simple yet endearing “no.”

The atmosphere was electric as the Queen, flanked by Prince Charles, Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and their children—George, Charlotte, and Louis—was greeted by roaring cheers from the masses.

The 96-year-old monarch appeared overwhelmed by the love and support, and her delight only grew as the audience broke into a stirring rendition of the National Anthem, accompanied by a spectacular display of red, white, and blue smoke.

This joyful occasion followed the vibrant Platinum Pageant, which creatively narrated the Queen’s 70-year journey alongside the nation.

Despite her absence during much of the extended bank holiday weekend, the Queen expressed her heartfelt gratitude in a message to the public.

She acknowledged her limited participation but assured everyone that her spirit remained with those celebrating across the country.

The Duchess of Cornwall, who champions the Big Lunch initiative, estimated that around 18 million people participated in Jubilee street parties.

The Queen reflected on this sense of community, expressing hope that the unity felt during the celebrations would endure for years to come.

Her heartfelt words resonated deeply as she conveyed how humbled she felt by the outpouring of affection from the public.

In her message, she remarked, “When it comes to how to mark 70 years as your Queen, there is no guidebook to follow.

It really is a first.” With sincerity, she emphasized her commitment to serving the nation to the best of her ability, buoyed by the support of her family.

The Queen also shared her inspiration drawn from the kindness and joy that permeated the festivities.

The day was not without its challenges; the Queen had previously pulled out of two Jubilee events due to health concerns.

However, on the balcony, she seemed at ease, leaning on her walking stick—a new companion due to her mobility issues—while graciously waving to the cheering crowd.

The royal family stood proudly beside her, sharing in the joy of the moment.

As the national anthem concluded, the Queen was joined by her great-grandchildren, with little Louis enthusiastically waving both hands, further endearing the royal family to the public.

Although the planned Red Arrows display was canceled due to low clouds, the spirit of celebration remained unshaken.

Earlier in the day, Prince Charles echoed his mother’s sentiments about the camaraderie fostered by the Jubilee events.

He expressed his hopes that the sense of togetherness would not fade away after the celebrations.

Meanwhile, Princess Eugenie took to social media to praise the pageant, calling it “incredible” and thanking all those involved in its organization.

The jubilation continued to resonate on social platforms, with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sharing their pride in the day’s events.

They highlighted the amazing display of street art, theater, music, and sport, encapsulating the essence of the Platinum Jubilee festivities.

As the day progressed, the Queen’s brief but impactful balcony appearance marked a poignant moment in the Jubilee celebrations, with spectators uncertain if she would attend.

After a heartfelt performance by Ed Sheeran, whose song “Perfect” served as a tribute to the Queen, the crowd erupted in joy upon seeing her.

For many attendees, like Paula and Patrick Queenan from Hertfordshire, witnessing the Queen was the highlight of their Jubilee experience.

They reminisced about the street parties and the communal singing of the national anthem, encapsulating the spirit of unity that defined the long-awaited celebration.

The Queen’s presence, even for just three minutes, left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who gathered to honor her remarkable reign.