The Queen managed to make a triumphant appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace thanks to some words of encouragement from her son. The monarch had been forced to miss some of her planned engagements scheduled during Platinum Jubilee celebrations due to ill health.
However, to the surprise of many, the Queen joined the rest of the Royal Family for a public appearance on the palace balcony at the end of the four-day bank holiday for an iconic photo opportunity. The image of the four generations of the Royal Family standing proud on the Buckingham Palace balcony, with the three heirs to the Queen's throne around her, was beamed across the world and is of particular significance as it may never happen again on such a high-profile occasion.
And it can now be revealed that Prince Charles paid an instrumental role in making the special moment happen. An inside source told the Star : “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.”
The 96-year-old monarch, who has sat on the throne since 1952, duly travelled to London from Windsor, and was staggered by reception she got, with some rare tears welling in her eyes. The sourced added: “The Queen was totally overwhelmed by the number of people waiting to see her – she had tears in her eyes before she stepped out on the balcony.”
Her Majesty herself admitted: “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.” The Queen is expected to make fewer personal appearances from now on and will enjoy a well-earned break at Balmoral - after attending the investiture for the Order of the Garter later today (June 12) - where her cosy cottage Craigowan Lodge, has been fitted out with mobility aides, including a stair lift.
The insider revealed: “Over time, the Queen will revert to becoming a more virtual Queen with digital appearances and video calls.” She will not join the procession or be at the service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor on Sunday, where the historic ceremony will witness Camilla installed to the 700-year-old order of Knighthood, along with former Prime Minister Tony Blair and Baroness Amos.
