The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert: The view from The Mall - Telegraph.co.uk

Mr Collins had flown from Ontario in Canada with his daughter Freda, 33, for the Jubilee weekend. “You don’t get patriotism like this anywhere else,” he added. Jet Grech, 21, from Worksop, Notts, agreed: “People have gone to so much effort to show their support. It feels special to be here.”
They were among the thousands who camped out on The Mall for the highlight of the evening, a glimpse of the Queen as she lit the national beacon after the Jubilee concert.
Decked in colourful wigs and wearing masks of their favourite members of the Royal family — some wielding megaphones or banners declaring “Elizabeth the Great” and “She’s our diamond” — the celebratory mood of the crowd was infectious. Even news that the Duke of Edinburgh had been admitted to hospital did not do much to dampen their appetite for fun.
“We are all shocked but we will just try to party on,” said one Australian outside the Palace.
“Everyone round here sends him their best wishes.”
Kate Gregory, 62, from Stourbridge in the West Midlands, added: “I feel sorry for the Queen, because he’s always by her side.”
Helen Wallis, 44, from Sussex, had gathered three generations of her family, aged between 14 and 77, for the celebrations. Dressed in a Union flag hat, earrings and a flower garland, she said the experience so far was “unforgettable”.
“There’s a real excitement around the city,” she added.
Nearby, Olive Ovens, 65, from County Fermanagh, had set up a folding chair by a big screen. “I can’t wait to see Cliff Richard — and we’ve got a great view of the roof for Madness,” she said.
The crowd almost drowned out last-minute rehearsals for the concert, as spectators entertained themselves with rousing renditions of JLS songs and Dame Shirley Bassey numbers.
Among the diehards near the top of The Mall was Nicola Curry, 43, from Petersfield, Hants, who had camped out for two nights with her daughter Esme, eight.
“We’re trying to dry out our tents and our shoes are still wet, but it’s all been worth it,” she said, grinning. “It’s the first time we’ve ever done anything like this and we felt a bit mad at first, but Esme’s really enjoyed it.”
Further down The Mall, the crowd was more relaxed. Families soaked up the atmosphere in deckchairs, while scores of people queued for fish and chips, cups of tea and commemorative tea towels.
Sadie and Lee Leggett, both 26, were bemused by the fanatical royalists they had seen from their tent.
“There was a couple wearing matching red, white and blue waistcoats with bowler hats,” said Miss Leggett. “You do get a lot of crazies, but that didn’t put us off — I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
If there was one place in Britain to be yesterday, it was here. The chaotic, colourful, lively Mall, where the experience of ordinary people encapsulated the spirit of the Jubilee. Without the Duke of Edinburgh by her side, it will have been a difficult evening for Her Majesty but the crowds, screaming their support and appreciation, will have brought no small measure of comfort.

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