Queen hosts Commonwealth lunch: Without ill husband

UK: Queen Elizabeth II was scheduled to attend a Commonwealth luncheon in London yesterday, following a grand four-day diamond jubilee celebration which was marred by the illness of her husband, Prince Philip.

The queen was to host heads of government and representatives of the Commonwealth nations at Marlborough House, but would be without her husband who is recovering from the bladder infection that hospitalised him on Monday.

The couple's youngest son Prince Edward told reporters after visiting Philip in hospital that his father was “getting better” but he will remain in hospital for several days and that the queen was “bearing up but missing him.” The monarch on Tuesday brought the official public celebrations to a close when she greeted 1.5 million cheering subjects from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. A dramatic flypast capped four days of celebrations marking her 60th year on the throne as the crowd waved Union Jack flags at the monarch and her family, surrounding the palace in a sea of red, white and blue.

The 86-year-old monarch later said in a special television message shown across the nation and the Commonwealth that the jubilee had 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,” the queen said.

“I will continue to treasure and draw inspiration from the countless kindnesses shown to me in this country and throughout the Commonwealth,” she added.

“Thank you all.” The queen braved the rain with her heir Prince Charles and his wife Camilla as well as Prince Harry, Prince William and his wife Catherine to wave from the balcony. AFP