In the final moments of Tuesday’s festivities, the rapturous applause of thousands who had gathered on The Mall to see the Queen was drowned out by a deafening RAF flypast.

Streaming red, white and blue over Buckingham Palace, it drew to a close one of the biggest celebrations in Britain’s royal history in majestic, albeit rainy, fashion.

The booming 60-gun salute, the carriage procession, the distant, yet intimate balcony appearance, and the rousing rendition of the National Anthem.

Many who witnessed it in person felt London – maybe even the world – had never seen anything quite like it.

However, it was that clear the Duke of Edinburgh, absent because of ill health, was also very much in people’s thoughts.

“Three cheers for Prince Philip!” shouted a loud voice from the back – and The Mall was happy to oblige.

There were comical moments too.

A wayward horn prompted laughter from the crowd amid the pomp of a military drill – although not a single smirk could be seen on the faces of the bayonet-carrying, bearskin-clad guards.

The celebrations had begun many hours earlier for the thousands who gathered at St Paul’s Cathedral.

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