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The Queen always worries no-one will turn up to see her – but these historic crowds proved her wrong
EVEN though she is the most famous woman in the world, the Queen always worries no one will turn up to see her on big occasions.
But yesterday, as she marked 70 years on the throne, her fears were unfounded.
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The flag-waving crowds stretched more than a mile from Buckingham Palace to Downing Street.
So many came to see her that by 10am — with two hours to go to her historic double balcony appearance — Tube stations around the Palace had to close.
But still the people kept flooding in because everyone knew they were witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime event.
At 96, Queen Elizabeth II is the first in 1,000 years of British monarchs to have a Platinum Jubilee.
And it’s likely there will never be another.
They cheered for more than three hours — but the biggest hurrah came when the Queen stepped on to the balcony for the first time to salute the troops as they returned from Horse Guards Parade.
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‘She’s gone in for cuppa’
As she went inside after 15 minutes stood next to her cousin the Duke of Kent, the crowd treated her like their favourite granny.
A shout went round: “She’s gone in for a cuppa and put her slippers on.”
And you knew instantly she was back out — because the thousands who been allowed from the Mall to surround the Queen Victoria Memorial burst into God Save the Queen. All willing her long to reign over us.
Many of the hundreds of thousands who lined the route had their own personal reasons for wanting to say thanks to Her Majesty.
Rita Westlake took her first steps as a toddler in south London the moment the Queen was crowned.
She says: “Exactly 69 years ago, my family, who were living in Peckham, hired a TV to watch the Coronation.
“When the trumpeters sounded I became terrified, leapt to my feet and took my first-ever steps towards my mum. Thanks to the Queen I ran before I could walk.
“She has had a huge impact on my life and it is amazing to be here.”
Retired therapist Rita, of St Tudy, Cornwall, was with her D-Day veteran dad John, 97 — one of 3,000 cheering military veterans given the best seats in a British Legion stand next to Buck House. Corporal John Westlake was an RAF fitter armourer during World War Two.
From 1969 to 74 Paul Jenkins often saw the Queen up close as he served as an ordnance electrician on the Royal Yacht Britannia. And he was in Portsmouth on the day the Queen shed tears when the ship was taken out of service.
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John, of Bournemouth, Dorset, said: “I’m honoured to be here today to say thank you for all she has done for our country.”
More than 2,000 key workers were also in the stands, including
Gilbert Falconer, 65, who travelled from Scotland after bagging his seat in a national ballot.
The ambulance service worker said: “It’s like winning the lottery for me.”
Business analyst Kat Olga, 28, from Surrey, was one of the thousands who stood in front of Buckingham Palace to during the flypast.
She said: “There was a festival atmosphere. The police had closed all the gates to the park but they opened them just after the parade and it was brilliant walking with everyone towards Buckingham Palace down the Mall. The Queen is our nation’s sweetheart.”
Student Edmund Burgess, 20, who travelled from Somerset, said: “We were two rows from the front on The Mall. We got here at 6am after travelling to London yesterday and staying in a hotel.
“I came to the Diamond Jubilee ten years ago but that was just a soaking. Today was amazing.”
Builder Phil Benton, 56, from Cambridge, said: “People say the monarchy is a waste of money. But The Queen more than pays her way with her lifetime of service.
‘It’s been a great day’
“She’s recognised Harry and Meghan are part of the family and it’s an olive branch having them here for the Jubilee.”
Jan Beveridge, 80, a retired advertising manager from Hornchurch, Essex, said: “The Queen has always been there for our country. Everyone was applauding and cheering when the family were on the balcony.
“The huge amount of people here show how incredible everyone thinks she is. London is absolutely packed. I’ve never seen it like this.”
Henna Bakhshi, 44, a public sector investigator from south-east London, said: “Seeing the ‘70’ in the flypast was a really special moment. My kids were so excited.
“Everyone looks up to the Queen and we’re proud of her.”
IT boss Rupert Mills, 46, from Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, said: “The Jubilee celebration has brought the country together after the two years of the pandemic.
“The Queen has been so great for our country for 70 years.
New Zealanders Emily Hurle, Lauren Stone and Amelia Jull, all 28, and Lauren Keith, 27, came to the Mall wearing tiaras, drinking cocktails and hoping for a glimpse of the Queen.
Lauren Keith, who now lives in London, said: “She’s a legend. We love her. The crowds today show how people feel about her.”
Amelia added: “She’s a big deal in New Zealand as well and we all watch the Queen’s Christmas speech back home.” Jackson Waters, ten, from Dartford, Kent, said: “It was crazy when the planes went over and I really liked all the cheering.
“There were so many people in Trafalgar Square and I had to go on my parents’ shoulders so I could see. The Red Arrows came right over us.”
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Jackson’s mum Suzanne, 45, a transport engineer, added: “It’s been a great day a real best-of-British with all the flags and atmosphere.
“I came to William and Kate’s wedding and the Diamond Jubilee but there were a lot more people today.”
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