Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee: Queen thanks public for celebration

Queen Elizabeth II made a surprise appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace Sunday at the conclusion of the four-day celebration of her Platinum Jubilee.

The queen was joined on the balcony by her heirs, Princes Charles, William and George, as well as Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Elizabeth, dressed in a green coat, green hat and white gloves, stood and watched as thousands of members of the public sang "God Save the Queen."

Before departing the balcony, Elizabeth gave a royal wave.

Music star Ed Sheeran is center-stage in front of Buckingham Palace for the finale of Queen Elizabeth II’s four-day Platinum Jubilee celebration.

As Sheeran performs his hit song "Perfect," images of the queen from throughout her 70-year reign are projected onto screens.

Elizabeth is back in residence at Buckingham Palace after spending much of her jubilee celebration at Windsor Castle. As the Platinum Jubilee Pageant was taking place outside of the palace, the Royal Standard was raised, signifying the queen’s return.

Queen Elizabeth II is back at Buckingham Palace Sunday after spending much of the Platinum Jubilee weekend at Windsor Castle.

The 96-year-old queen has made two in-person appearances during the celebrations of her 70-year reign, at Trooping the Color on Thursday and later that night at the lighting of the Platinum Jubilee beacon.

Elizabeth's return Sunday to Buckingham Palace was marked by the raising of the Royal Standard, the flag flown when the queen is in residence.

Outside the palace, the Platinum Jubilee pageant is taking place, a cultural celebration involving thousands of performers.

The party is continuing outside Buckingham Palace as thousands of people take part in the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.

Open-top buses decorated to represent each decade of Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign have passed by the palace, where members of the queen’s family are watching, including Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte and many more of the queen’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Sunday’s pageant is the grand finale to the queen’s four-day Platinum Jubilee celebrations. It is divided into four acts: “For Queen and Country,” represented by a military parade; “The Time of Our Lives,” celebrating innovation; “Let’s Celebrate,” a festival of music and dance; and “Happy and Glorious,” performances by “national treasures.”

The pageant will conclude with a performance by Ed Sheeran.