Queen gasped ‘how incredible’ on Palace balcony at Platinum Jubilee flypast as thrilled crowds gave her rousing cheers

THE Queen gasped “Oh how incredible” at her Platinum Jubilee flypast yesterday — as thrilled crowds gave her a rousing three cheers.

Her Majesty, 96, delighted royal fans by making two appearances on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

Wearing a powder blue dress and sunglasses and clutching a cane — a gift from the Army — she beamed as she stood with three generations of her beloved family.

She was clearly overwhelmed by the public response as her four-day celebration started in a blaze of colour and joy.

Last night, the Queen pulled out of today’s National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, with the Palace saying she had “greatly enjoyed today’s birthday parade and flypast but did experience some discomfort”.

It added: “Taking into account the journey and activity required to participate in tomorrow’s service, Her Majesty with great reluctance has concluded that she will not attend.

“She would like to thank all those who made today such a memorable occasion.” Prince Charles will represent the Queen at St Paul’s.

Prince Louis, four, almost stole the show at the Palace yesterday as he gazed adoringly at his great-gran and pushed past his mum Kate to grab her attention.

The young royal, in a dashing sailor outfit, had earlier amused onlookers as he pulled a series of funny faces, smiles and grimaces.

At the Trooping the Colour in Horse Guards Parade, Louis watched from a window and played with Savannah and Isla — daughters of the Queen’s grandson Peter ­Phillips and ex-wife Autumn Kelly.

Louis put on a serious face and saluted the passing cavalry.

And he pointed excitedly when he spotted dad William down below on horseback in his regimental tunic and bearskin hat.

Minutes earlier Louis arrived at the party in a carriage with Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, Kate, and ­siblings George, eight, and seven-year-old Charlotte.

The sensational flypast of more than 70 aircraft wowed senior royals watching from the Palace balcony.

Roaring from the jet engines almost got too much for excited Louis as he clamped his hands tightly over his ears.

The Queen flanked by Prince Charles and Kate, who wore a white dress and hat, could be seen speaking to her family about the awe-inspiring air show. Seeing a fleet of helicopters fly low over the palace she said: “That’s our Air Force. The Apaches.”

As the show continued she made a loving glance at Prince George, eight, and said: “Now look at this.”

Impressed by 15 RAF Typhoons forming a number 70 marking her years on the throne, the Queen said: “That’s very clever.”

Kate replied: “Wow, that’s amazing . . . wow.”

As the Red Arrows topped off the display by leaving red, white and blue vapour trails, Kate leaned to her three children and said: “See the smokes.”

Enthralled George looked ­skywards and said: “Woah, it’s the Red Arrows. I see them.”

Hundreds of thousands of flag-waving supporters lined The Mall with many camping out overnight to catch a glimpse of their favourite royals.

Luckily the sun shone down on the revellers who tucked into picnics and greeted the royals with huge cheers.

The previous two Trooping the ­Colour ceremonies were scaled down and instead held at Windsor Castle due to Covid.

A delighted member of yesterday’s organising team said: “Isn’t that noise amazing. We haven’t heard this for so long. It’s wonderful.”

Charles, 73, stood in for the Queen to take the official royal salute.

But the patient crowds got what they wanted when she emerged on the Palace balcony to receive a salute from the returning Household Cavalry.

Thousands had booked ­tickets for the historic occasion and taken their seats at the Queen Victoria Monument for the balcony appearance.

They got to cheer not once but twice as the Queen stepped back on to the balcony for the spectacular RAF flypast.

Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, did not join the Queen there as they are no longer working royals.

But non-working royals Princess Eugenie, 32, and her husband Jack Brooksbank, 36, shared photos watching the flypast from the Palace roof.

Jack was seen holding their 15-month-old son August — with Peter Phillips and sister Zara Tindall and her husband Mike’s children in the background.