As it happened: Queen appears on balcony for Jubilee finale

PA MediaCopyright: PA Media

As celebrations come to a close, a thank you message from the Queen has come from Buckingham Palace.

She says: "I have been humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee.

"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.

"I have been inspired by the kindness, joy and kinship that has been so evident in recent days, and I hope this renewed sense of togetherness will be felt for many years to come.

"I thank you most sincerely for your good wishes and for the part you have all played in these happy celebrations."

PA MediaCopyright: PA Media

The Queen delighted Platinum Jubilee revellers by making a much-anticipated Buckingham Palace balcony appearance that set the seal on four days of celebrations.

It followed the Platinum Pageant which told the story of her life, and the nation, with an eccentric, fun and imaginative carnival-like display.

During the Queen's appearance, a choir of celebrities including Sir David Jason, Harry Redknapp, Sir Cliff Richard, Sandie Shaw and Felicity Kendal took part in a mass rendition of God Save The Queen.

The four-day bank holiday celebrations brought neighbours, towns and much of the nation together as they marked the 70-year reign of the country's longest-serving monarch.

The Prince of Wales attended one of many Big Jubilee Lunches to mark the final day of the celebrations commemorating the Queen's reign.

On the Mall, the crowd are delivering their verdicts on the pageant.

Eleojo Achimugu from north-west London was surprised by how much she enjoyed the whole spectacle. “I thought it was more fun than I was expecting,” she says.

“In particular I really liked the diversity of it. It was good to catch a glimpse of the Royal Family, too.”

Iain Bott from London adds: “I’m really happy I came to see it in person. It’s a huge occasion.

"For the Queen to still be doing this after 70 years really is exceptional.”

BBCCopyright: BBC

PA MediaCopyright: PA Media

Microsculptor Dr Willard Wigan has created the "tiniest, biggest tribute" for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee - a microscopic model of the Queen's gold State Coach, which she travelled in for her coronation, PA reports.

The 65-year-old put together more than 200 parts under a microscope to create the work, which he hopes to take on a nationwide tour.

Dr Wigan, who was diagnosed with autism when he was 50 years old, describes the model as "the hardest thing I've ever done".

"Having autism has given me a superpower to be able to do things other people can't," he says.

The West-Midlands-based sculptor was awarded an MBE for services to art in 2007 and previously carved the Queen's head on to a coffee bean for the monarch's Diamond Jubilee.

For those gathered in front of Buckingham Palace today, the appearance of the Queen on the balcony was the moment that capped off the weekend.

“It was really special,” says Louise Kiteley, 57, from Grendon, Warwickshire.

“I think it finished up perfectly what had been a perfect four days.”

The Queen’s broad smile as she waved to the crowd suggests the monarch felt the same, Louise believes.

“She seems to have enjoyed it immensely. And it must also have been a relief to her that everything went so smoothly.”

BBCCopyright: BBC

PA MediaCopyright: PA Media

Celebrities who were part of the pageant have been telling the BBC how excited they were to be a part of the Jubilee celebrations.

Sir Cliff Richard says it still feels like an honour to be around the Royal Family, decades after first doing so.

"Every time you have to be with royalty, all those moments are great because all these years later, it still feels like the grandest honour," he says.

"Where else in the world can you get a chance to do something like this?"

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

Supermodel Naomi Campbell, who appeared in the parade's 1990s-themed open top bus, says she is "so honoured to be here today".

"It has been a great and amazing day... to salute the Queen who has given herself selflessly to this nation and the world and the Commonwealth."

The Queen's balcony appearance, closing the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, lasted just a few minutes.

During that time, she waved to the crowds and the thousands of people on The Mall sang the national anthem.

PA MediaCopyright: PA Media

PA MediaCopyright: PA Media

PA MediaCopyright: PA Media

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Shortly before the Queen's appearance, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were seen peering through the window at the scene outside.

They had just finished watching the pageant - which saw Louis struggling to sit still, and being bounded on his grandfather, Prince Charles's knee, at one point.

They joined in the national anthem as they stood alongside their great grandmother, before heading back indoors with her.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

It was a brief appearance from the Queen - she smiled and waved at the crowds gathered outside the palace before heading back inside.

The 96-year-old monarch had been unable to appear at Friday and Saturday's events after experiencing mobility problems in recent months.

She was however seen inspecting troops on the Buckingham Palace balcony on Thursday and also made a surprise pre-recorded appearance in a comedy sketch with Paddington Bear.

The Queen appears on the palace balcony in front of a huge crowd lining the Mall, at the end of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

She is with Prince Charles and Camilla, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their three children.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Ed Sheeran is now singing in front of Buckingham Palace.

He is expected to lead a special tribute to the Queen, and the public around the palace will be invited to sing the national anthem.

BBCCopyright: BBC

PA MediaCopyright: PA Media

The Queen, at the age of 96, is the UK's longest reigning monarch.

She has been on the throne for 70 years since 1952, which allows Britain to celebrate a royal Platinum Jubilee for the first time.

She is followed by Queen Victoria who reigned from June 1837 till her death in January 1901, for a total of 63 years and seven months.

Behind them are George III who reigned for 59 years.

• British monarchs with the longest reign

But outside the UK, there have been longer reigning monarchs: France's Louis XIV, who ruled for more than 72 years from the age of four, and Thailand's Bhumibol Adulyadej who was on the throne for more than 70 years (and more days than the Queen).

BBCCopyright: BBC

The impressive Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival float has been making its way down The Mall.

At 100ft long, the cart has been designed to reflect various regal elements of the monarchy, including the royal crest, crowns and royal carriages, with additional links to the commonwealth.

It contains over 40 engineered moving parts and 18 spectacularly crafted models.

BBCCopyright: BBC

A real buzz this afternoon in the Scottish capital.

As we mentioned earlier, people in Edinburgh have been treated to live music and entertainment in gardens beneath Edinburgh Castle as part of celebrations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The good weather and music seemed to have brought many out for the day, with some attendees admitting they were somewhat neutral on the Jubilee celebrations.

Those attending the free event in West Princes Street Gardens have been able to watch the Platinum Jubilee Pageant broadcast live from London, which was shown on big screens.

The celebration, which saw attendees enjoying picnics in the sun, kicked off at 12:30 BST with the band of HM Royal Marines Scotland and a special Edinburgh Festival Carnival parade.

Music from the HM Royal Marines Scotland band included their Corps of Drums, film music, Scottish melodies and virtuoso soloists.

The local Love Music Community Choir have also performed.

.Copyright: .

Spectators strain to see the parade as it makes its way past.

But no one is complaining that the view isn’t as good as if they’d stayed at home to watch on television.

"It's ok to not see everything," says Anna Ilexia, 25, from London.

"It's all about the ambience and the atmosphere."

Paminder Bhangoo, 46, an optician from Bedfordshire, agrees.

"Everybody knows they're watching something special," she says.

"It's just so nice to see so many people enjoying themselves."

Paminder was especially pleased to watch the sections reflecting Indian culture.

"It's representing us – it's so wonderful to be included," she says.

Jon KellyCopyright: Jon Kelly

Jon KellyCopyright: Jon Kelly

And here's what we don't always see at those big public events: a regiment of street cleaning vehicles to brush away what the horses left behind at the end of the parade.

They came past a few seconds after the final round of the armed forces procession and the more than 250 horses which took part in the event.

BBCCopyright: BBC

We had been expected the RAF Red Arrows to fly past Buckingham Palace at the end of the pageant - but this has now been cancelled due to bad weather.

The aerobatics display team thrilled the crowds as they zoomed overhead during Thursday's Trooping of the Colour.

We're still expecting Ed Sheeran to sing the national anthem at the end of the parade. And there is still the possibility that we may see the Queen again on the Palace balcony.