The Queen and Paddington Bear

paddyan54 My wee GD told me ,today,that she was horrified that people would use warplanes in a flypast when there are people in London escaping war ...wise child
Then you'll have to explain to her that these planes saved our country from someone like Putin only worse. That's very relevant.

well, I didn't plan on watching it as I don't as a rule enjoy big events such as this, but, I watched it to the end. Paddington Bear bit was inspired, and the beginning with the military drums and Queen was a great start. Some of the acts were, sadly, past their prime, but it didn't really matter to the crowd. Diversity were stunningly good, as was the Lloyd Webber medley (although no glasses on meant that for one disturbing minute I thought that Tony Blair was wearing the technicolor dreamcoat, not Jason Donovan ). Rod has lost his strength of voice, and Diana Ross really shouldn't have been there, poor performance and depressing for those of us who remember her vitality and voice. But, the technical stuff, the lighting, lazers, drones were absolutely stunning and it was worth watching the show for them alone.

Queen were brilliant as ever. I've not seen Adam with them before and I thought he was very good. Not Freddie but the sort of eyecatching singer they need. I met Roger Taylor some years ago and found him rather disappointing as a pop star ( less Keith Richards, more bank manager) I would kill for Brian May's coat.

Diana Ross looked amazing for someone who's even older than me, but why have an American end the evening? However all the crowd seemed to be having a great time which is the main thing. No point putting on a show if the audience don't enjoy it.

HM has arrived at Buckingham Palace form the end of the Pageant this afternoon. The Royal Standard has been raised.

And Louis singing the national anthem. Priceless!

Adam Lambert has been performing with Queen for over 8 years now Deedaa. he's excellent. Came to fame on American Idol if I remember correctly.

Fabulous to see the Queen on the balcony. Very moving indeed.

Felt really tearful seeing the Queen on the balcony, with her immediate family around her.

And George and Louis singing the National Anthem!

??????

Me too Calendargirl, had to get myself a tissue as I couldn’t see the screen through tears.

Calendargirl

Felt really tearful seeing the Queen on the balcony, with her immediate family around her.

And George and Louis singing the National Anthem!

??????

I know! Totally choked and tearful. And even little Louis was singing the National Anthem.

I haven’t been able to watch any of it, apart from a bit of Trooping of the Colour.
It’s just so incredibly sad.
It’s like we are saying goodbye to her.
I think that the nation will have a huge existential crisis when she does go.

Zoejory 8 years probably sums up how out of date I am.

Just catching up with the pageant. Love Charles and Catherine passing Louis from lap to lap. Don't we all know that feeling!
Costumes are just amazing.

Such a memorable and beautiful moment, our Queen appearing on balcony. Extremely powerful and the crowd were so moved. It felt like a 'moment in time'.

I thought the Queen also looked emotional on the balcony. I don’t like to think it but I wonder if the thought it might be her last time there was running through her mind.

I am a soggy mess, I just love the U.K. and all it’s eccentricity, the pageant was such an example of it.

I admire and respect HM, lovely to see her on the balcony

I think it's been a tremendous celebration of her life. Inevitably we must look to the future but I think William and Kate and the children have been fantastic this weekend.

I enjoyed everything but was fascinated at the lady in a white jacket seated behind Prince William last night .This lady never cracked a smile ,looked bored and faintly bemused all the way through the whole performance.
Just seen on social media she is Canada’s Governor General, Mary Simon,Not a happy punter although she did wave a union flag for a few minutes .

The lady behind Prince Charles today fell asleep!

Jenny Agutter and Luluwere both trying not to cry, too.

The children are gorgeous.

Millie22

I think it's been a tremendous celebration of her life. Inevitably we must look to the future but I think William and Kate and the children have been fantastic this weekend.

I agree. They are a lovely family with gorgeous children. I enjoyed seeing Louis being passed around and then sitting on Charles' lap.

I have felt so proud over this weekend ... it's been memorable and heart-warming and moving, and the TV coverage has been excellent so that I felt I was part of it.... but I did get the feeling when the Queen appeared on the balcony this evening with "her heirs" that she was saying goodbye, and it was upsetting.

The National Anthem always moves me to tears, but this weekend I have really cried.

She is being repackaged as a retired darling of the nation. She surely deserves to retire! I am a monarchist as far as the Windsors are concerned however I hope no more flaunting of their wealth

I too felt like the Queen was saying goodbye. She looked really tired and more frail than she did on the balcony last Thursday. She couldn’t wait to get back inside.

Her family have done her proud over the four days. The Cambridge children are delightful.

I’ve loved every minute of it.

I wouldn’t be surprised, sad, but not surprised, if that’s her last balcony visit, she’s been a constant in my life.
I love the way that the younger royals are involved and without as much formality as seen years ago, when they were sometimes not seen at all.
Big thanks to all involved, in particular those behind the scenes, a difficult job with the eyes of the world on their delivery ???.

That balcony appearance seemed incredibly poignant and I found it very emotional. I had already been teary when Ed Sheeran was singing. I know his wife was a school sweetheart and had just heard they have a new baby. I found his song very emotional then out came the Queen looking rather frail and I found it hard not to dissolve in sobs. I don't really know why.

I’m not really much of a royalist but I was proud to be British today and seeing the Queen on the balcony at the end,it did make me cry…?

To be honest I didn’t know what to expect but the whole celebration has been amazing!! The Queen had only been on the throne for a year when I was born so, like so many others, Ive never known life without her. Maybe we won’t see so much of her from now on but this weekend has given us all an opportunity to reflect on what a remarkable woman she is and to glimpse the future of the monarchy, which looks to be in very capable hands.