Million wave to diamond queen on palace balcony

The rain was typically British but so was the emotion as 1.5 million people packed the streets outside Buckingham Palace to wave at Queen Elizabeth II as she rounded off her diamond jubilee Tuesday.Despite the downpour, people filled The Mall from the palace gates to the horizon to wave to the sovereign as she appeared on the palace balcony, the final event of a four-day holiday weekend celebrating her 60 years on the throne.The absence of her husband Prince Philip due to illness did not stop the feelgood factor either. Mexican waves ran across the temporary stands and people sang spontaneous rounds of "God Save the Queen" before a giant cheer went up as the balcony doors opened.People politely put their umbrellas down so the masses behind them could get a glimpse of the 86-year-old monarch, dressed in mint green, and senior royals as they appeared to wave to the vast crowd. The Mall, the ceremonial route from Trafalgar Square to the palace, was transformed into a sea of Union Jack flags. Tim Fell, 32, a nursery teacher from Edinburgh, waved a banner reading "Elizabeth the Great - she's a diamond!". "This is what it's all about, letting her know what we think of her," he told AFP."Duty, country, sacrifice, commitment, compassion; for the queen, they're not just words in a dictionary - they're a way of life, they're who she is and that's such a remarkable set of values to have. "And duty means us. It's been an opportunity for everyone to come out and say 'hey, that's pretty cool! Thank you, keep going, we're with you!'Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth II said Tuesday the four days of events for her diamond jubilee had been "humbling", in a rare broadcast address to Britain and the Commonwealth."The events that I have attended to mark my Diamond Jubilee have been a humbling experience," the 86-year-old sovereign said in the brief message.The queen said, "Prince Philip and I want to take take this opportunity to offer our special thanks and appreciation to all those who have had a hand in organising these jubilee celebrations."It has been a massive challenge, and I am sure that everyone who has enjoyed these festive occasions realises how much work has been involved."In the message recorded at Buckingham Palace on Monday, she added: "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."