Following the dramatic fly-past end to day one of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee festivities, Prince Charles and Camilla greeted crowds outside Buckingham Palace today.
The prince, 73, and his wife, 74, shook hands with well-wishers outside the famed royal home, flanked by armed police and security personnel and dressed in full military costume.
The Prince of Wales met with his mother, The Queen, on the royal balcony of Buckingham Palace for a brief meet-and-greet.
The heir apparent also took part in a special Trooping the Colour which saw him ride on horseback down The Mall before receiving the traditional salute at Horse Guard Parade on behalf of his mother.
Asked by Sky News about his thoughts on the event, which took place in blissful sunshine, he replied: ‘Quite warm.’
It comes after the Queen and the thousands of adoring fans who turned out to watch were treated to a spectacular display of pomp and pageantry on the first of four days of celebrations to mark her 70th year on the throne.
Even before the event began royal superfans crowded on to The Mall hoping to catch glimpse of the display, which started with troops making their way down the historic street from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade.
Then followed the royals, with the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla, and the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate, and her three children, making their way down The Mall to watch the display.
They were followed by Prince Edward, the Countess of Wessex and their children Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn, 14, and then Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, and Prince Charles on horseback.
Earlier, the marching of the troops was briefly interrupted by a group of people who jumped the barriers along The Mall – only to be swiftly tackled by police and dragged back to safety. Several arrests have been made.
Devoted royalists, meanwhile, watched on big screens from the famous street leading up to Buckingham Palace from Trafalgar Square for the traditional Trooping the Colour.
The military ceremony – which has been used to mark a British Monarch’s official birthday for 260 years – was carried out by 1st Battalion Irish Guards, plus more than 1,500 officers and soldiers from the Household Division.
Prince Charles took the Salute, joined by Prince William, a Colonel in the regiment, and Princess Anne.
Royal fans across the country who weren’t lucky enough to have a space along The Mall watched events unfold on huge screens in nearby St James Park, or in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh or Bute Park in Cardiff.
More than 350 horses and hundreds of military musicians will be involved in the procession. In a show of the resilience that has marked her record-breaking reign, the Queen made an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony on Thursday – the first day of her Jubilee celebrations. She is also due to appear again following the show stopping Jubilee Pageant on Sunday – the final day of celebrations.
Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, William and the Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence will be on the balcony with her – to watch a stunning fly-past.
The spectacular six-minute display by 71 aircraft included Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight – with a huge Lancaster Bomber – and ended with jets in the formation of a ’70’ – to mark the Queen’s 70th year on the throne.
And in traditional style, the fly-past ended with a burst from the famous Red Arrows, who trailed red, white and blue stripes of smoke across The Mall and Buckingham Palace.
Today marks the first of four days of celebrations for the Queen’s Jubilee. A special Service of Thanksgiving will take place at St Paul’s Cathedral tomorrow, followed by a Party at the Palace event on Saturday, before the big grandstand finish on Sunday with the Jubilee Pageant through the streets of London.
Among the thousands of excited royal fans today was Allesandra Alberini, 52, who had arrived from Rome with friends for the celebrations. She told MailOnline: ‘I came all the way from Italy because I wanted to see the parade. The Queen is an institution and this isn’t exactly something that happens very often.
‘She is a very tough woman, of course she deserves all the celebrations. I am very happy I am here.’
German friends Melanie Düvel, 49, Kathrin Smala, 40 and Anke Nimandt, 48, arrived in London on Tuesday for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Melanie, from Dortmund, said: ‘We wanted to come because this is something you will never see again. It is awesome. The Queen has been amazing and has been on the throne for so long.
‘We were told there would be many people so we are OK about the crowds. We are not disappointed, we expected it. ‘We hope we can see the jets fly past later.’
Cho Hmone, 37, a software engineer from Wimbledon, south west London, said: ‘I wanted to celebrate and I am so happy. It is wonderful.
‘I wish I came hours earlier, but at least she knows we are all celebrating together with her. She is just wonderful and cares for all her people.’
Huiyong Fan, 46, a property researcher from Kingston, south west London, was celebrating with his three children Grace, Daniel and Austine.
He said: ‘I am feeling good, but we need to get to St James’ Park so we can watch it on a screen. We still feel amazing. We feel great for her.
‘She is a true lady and has given so much support to this country. She is a true role model for us all and a great public servant.’
Friends Hillary Mathews, 70, from Hertfordshire, and Peter Aidan, 69, from Essex, said they met in London to celebrate the ‘once-in-a-lifetime event’ as they waved flags on the Mall.
Ms Mathews said: ‘It’s just fantastic. she has just been so remarkable, the Queen.
‘Being five foot one, I don’t suppose I’ll see much but it’s just being here with the crowds and we’ll see the flypast from here, so that will be good.
‘She has done an amazing job, absolutely – who would want to do that that for 70 years? Just magnificent.
‘It’s just lovely to be somewhere where there are nice people. Everybody has got the same mission. All the horrors that’s been going on in the world and in England at the moment are put behind us for a day and we can just enjoy really celebrating the Queen’.
Mr Aidan added:’ I’ve always known her. All my lifetime, she’s been there and it’s just a sign of respect really.’
Another, Kirk Paton, 42, from Cambridge, told the BBC: ‘When you are British, I feel it’s (the Monarchy) is ingrained in you more than you realise.
Speaking of the Queen, he said: ‘It’s the sense of service. She’s always kept above politics. She’s never revealed the details of her discussions with her prime ministers.’
Another, Lea Maunder, 22, from Halle, Germany, who had been on The Mall since 6am, said: ‘I love the spirit of the Royal Family – I’m a big fan of the Queen. I had to dress my best for her – I’m wearing a fascinator and carrying my Union Jack handbag.’
Ambulance service worker Gilbert Falconer, 65, travelled from Scotland to witness the event, which is held to mark the queen’s official birthday.
‘We know it’s a special occasion because it might be the last day we’ll see Her Majesty in a public event,’ he told AFP.
Another spectator, Daniel Marmah, said: ‘This is very significant. It’s the first time we’ve had a monarch who’s lasted for so many years.’
The Queen’s two planned balcony appearances – which come despite recent mobility problems – will take place during Her Majesty’s official Birthday Parade, the start of the four-day bank holiday weekend.
A Royal source told the Mail On Sunday: ‘The Queen is determined to take part in the Jubilee celebrations. Trooping was brought forward by one week to be part of the Jubilee this year and the Queen very much wants to be part of it.’
Buckingham Palace announced that ‘after careful consideration’ the Queen would not invite the Duke of York or the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to join her as they were no longer working members of the Royal Family.
A Palace spokesman said the Royal balcony appearances would be limited to members of the Royal Family ‘who are currently undertaking official public duties on behalf of the Queen’.