THE parties at Buckingham Palace on Monday and Tuesday were beamed into 500 million homes worldwide.

This positive image was intoxicating to many people who saw euphoric cheering, jubilant flag-waving, patriotic singing and seemingly honest affection for the Queen.

In East Lancashire there were dozens of street parties and other Golden Jubilee events.

Police estimates suggest the celebrations proved as big a draw as the Silver Jubilee.

Two million people poured into The Mall over the two-day celebration at the Palace, equalling the gathering there on June 7 1977.

There were 102 beacons 25 years ago, but last weekend a chain of 1,900 was started.

The only thing the Golden Jubilee's predecessor was beaten on was street parties.

About 4,000 Silver Jubilee parties were reported to have been held in London alone and some 12,000 nationwide. It is not known exactly how many Golden Jubilee parties took place, although 40,000 party packs were sent out and more than 4,000 events were registered with the official website.

But all the indications are that the public's affection for the monarchy resurfaced to show the Queen that her popularity is safe for years to come.

The Queen herself admitted to being "overwhelmed" by it all during a speech.

She said: "It has been a pretty remarkable 50 years by any standards. There have been ups and downs, but anyone who can remember what things were like after those six long years of war, appreciates what immense changes have been achieved since then."

Those close to the Queen commented on her good mood. Lord Sterling, the chairman of the Golden Jubilee Weekend Trust, said: "The Queen was absolutely sparkling. She was in a splendid mood."

The Archbishop of Westminster, Cormac Murphy O'Connor, said: "What made it especially marvellous was the fact that it was inclusive of just about everyone, young and old and the diversity of people in this country."

The Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Alan Chesters, said: "Let the Queen's steadfast and untiring efforts to create a commonwealth of nations in a world which is so easily fragmented inspire us to build a more caring society. We rejoice in the Lord that we have the freedom to do that."

Tony Blair told the Queen: "Everyone reflects on the huge affection that this national feels for you or, as a lady put it to me in the street party in the village of Trimdon in County Durham, yesterday: 'We don't just respect her, we love her'."

Dr George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury, told the Queen: "In your commitment to service, we have seen not the denial of life but its rich and glorious affirmation.

"The range of our celebration tells us something important. It tells us that, unlike so much in the modern world, this relationship, the one between sovereign and the people, has grown stronger and deeper with the passage of time."