Sweet moment in Queen's last Palace balcony appearance that nearly didn't happen

10 September 2023 , 06:16

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The Queen waves from the balcony of Buckingham Palace one final time (Image: Getty Images)

For many people, the chance to glimpse the Queen will be one to stay in the memory forever - especially for those present at her last appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

One of the core items on a true royalists’ to do list is to be among the packed out Mall when the Royal Family are due to step outside. June 5 last year will long live in the memory of those present as it was the beloved monarch’s last ever appearance in front of her adoring subjects.

Begins the scenes the Queen had mustered all of her remaining strength to join the likes of her , and great-grandchildren one last time as her Platinum Jubilee celebrations came to an end. It is believed the 96-year-old Queen had not been feeling well in the lead-up to the balcony appearance and had pulled out of several prior engagements.

The sweet moment marked the end of the monarch's platinum jubilee celebrations (Getty Images)

Whether she would be able to be there or not hung in the balance, but after seeing the crowds who turned out to greet her, Charles is said to have called his mother and urged her to come. Ther result was an outpouring of public affection which is said to have sweetly “humbled and greatly touched” the monarch.

Speaking at the time, a source told the : "The Queen only decided that she would go to London about three hours before the balcony appearance. She was not feeling brilliant but the Prince of Wales had called her and told her she really ought to come if she could. He told her there were so many people desperate to see her and he convinced her to come."

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Just three months after that final balcony appearance, the Queen died peacefully at her Scottish home Balmoral - and Charles became King. Last month, the royals returned to the Buckingham Palace balcony for their first appearance on it since her death.

It came following the Coronation of Charles and Queen Camilla in a historic ceremony at Westminster Abbey. They were joined by other working members of the Royal Family including the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

Once again it was who stole the show As they waited for the scaled-down flypast to start, Louis was seen adorably banging his fists on the balcony, impatiently waiting for it to start amid the rainy .

Although after he looked up in awe as she stood beside his sister as the helicopters and the iconic Red Arrows flew overhead.

Antony Clements-Thrower