Red Arrows’ salute puts seal on weekend of Jubilee festivities

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The monarch set the seal on four days of street parties, the River Thames Pageant, concert and carriage procession by making a Buckingham Palace appearance with close members of her family in front an estimated 1.5 million crowd.

She was surrounded by the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry as they watched a spectacular flypast of Second World War aircraft and the Red Arrows.

But missing was the Duke of Edinburgh, who she has famously described as her “strength and stay”. His absence is likely to have given the day a bitter-sweet taste for the Queen.

After visiting him in hospital, their youngest son the Earl of Wessex said Philip, 90, who is suffering from a bladder infection, was “getting better” and was watching events on TV.

In her message the Queen said: “The events that I have attended to mark my Diamond Jubilee have been a humbling experience.

“It has touched me deeply to see so many thousands of families, neighbours and friends celebrating together in such a happy atmosphere. I hope that memories of all this year’s happy events will brighten our lives for many years to come.

“I will continue to treasure and draw inspiration from the countless kindnesses shown to me in this country and throughout the Commonwealth. Thank you all.”

Tributes were paid throughout the weekend with the Archbishop of Canterbury praising her “dedication to country and Commonwealth”.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s youngest son said he was “getting better” after visiting him in hospital.

Philip, 90, is suffering from a bladder infection and was taken to the King Edward VII Hospital from Windsor Castle on Monday as a precautionary measure.

The illness forced him to miss several events from the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex arrived at the London hospital at 3.15pm yesterday, arriving in two separate vehicles, and stayed for just under half an hour.

As he left the hospital, Edward told the huge pack of Press outside: “He’s getting better, he just needs some rest.”

Asked if the Duke had been keeping up with Jubilee celebrations, he said: “He’s been watching it on TV.”

And asked how the Queen was doing without him, he said: “She’s bearing up but she’s missing him, obviously.”

As he got into his Land Rover, he told reporters: “Thank you very much for your concern, it’s much appreciated.” The Countess added: “He’s in good spirits, he’s on good form.”

They took their children, Louise and James, with them.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said the Duke would remain in hospital under observation for a few days.

During Sunday’s river pageant, the Duke spent several hours on the Thames and clearly enjoyed seeing the flotilla despite torrential rain. However, some specialists have suggested that attending the pageant may have left him more vulnerable to the infection.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the Queen and Duke would not have missed the river pageant whatever the risk to their health.