WHETHER you're a monarchist or a republican, you'd have to admit that the Golden Jubilee celebrations were a magnificent spectacle and success.

Just a month ago, Buckingham Palace was said to be uncertain whether the weekend would be a great occasion or a great embarrassment.

But the sea of flags in an exuberant Mall yesterday confounded those fears. Instead, we saw an extraordinary rapport between the Queen and her people.

As one observer put it today, if it would be wrong to say that the Royals' popularity has never been greater, it is true that the weekend is one of the best she has ever had.

For a nation which likes a free party, this was helped by the astute decision that, unlike past events, the celebrations were our show. This time, everyone was invited.

But one thing above all made the success possible. That's the fundamental respect the nation has for the Queen as a person. It allowed the attitude to the weekend - and our reflections on it - to bridge the divide in the debate over Britain's future as a monarchy.

That respect isn't easy to win and it won't be easy to transfer to Prince Charles, when he finally takes the throne.

If his advisors are as well-tuned as hers, it's a fact they won't have missed - and much will hang on how they respond.

Finally, the past four days have proved one other thing which the nation had either forgotten or never known. When the Queen smiles, she lights the world around her. You should do it more often, Ma'am.