To round off her historic Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Queen Elizabeth made a second appearance on Buckingham Palace's famous balcony on June 5, 2022 along with her three direct heirs and other key members of the family.
This historic moment would sadly be the late monarch's final balcony appearance as she sadly passed away three months later at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
Several details about the Queen's final months have since emerged, along with details of the "military-style exercises" the Palace put in place to help the Queen through her discomfort to allow her to offer her thanks to the nation for celebrating her monumental 70-year reign.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond reflects on this moment in royal history.
Speaking to OK!, the expert said: "What a moment! No one knew until the last moment whether the Queen would manage to make that balcony appearance.
"We now know that there was a wheelchair just behind the doors, and it took a monumental effort, and probably a good deal of pain, for the Queen to make her way onto the balcony, looking fantastic in that bright green hat and coat.
"Aware as always, that she would be a tiny figure to the hundreds of thousands of people crowded into the mall, and that bright vivid colour would help them see her better.
"The family looked anxious as, with her walking stick, she accepted the cheers of the crowds. And I think everyone wondered at that point whether we would ever see her there again. Sadly we did not.
"But what a joyous occasion it was for a final appearance on that famous balcony. And there we saw the future of the monarchy… three Kings in waiting."
The details of the effort made to ensure the Queen's appearance emerged in Robert Jobson's book 'Our King'. He wrote: "On her insistence, a military-style exercise was put in place so that no one could see she was having to use a wheelchair.
"In considerable discomfort, Her Majesty was taken by wheelchair to the helicopter pad at Windsor.
"At the Palace, she was wheeled right up to the balcony doors, then helped to her feet so that she could stand – with the aid of a walking stick – alongside Charles and Camilla, plus William and his family.
"After a firework display, the Queen smiled with delight. It was her last salute to her people."
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