A celebration that has left Britain a little less cynical and a lot more cheerful

Britain returns to work today after an unprecedented four days of celebration and pageantry that marked not only the golden jubilee of the Queen, but a reaffirmation of our nationhood. Whatever misgivings we may harbour about the institution of the monarchy or the dissonance between even a pared-down aristocracy and the democratic reality of the 21st century, the size and palpable delight of the crowds in central London this weekend should give even the most cynical pause for thought.

Britain returns to work today after an unprecedented four days of celebration and pageantry that marked not only the golden jubilee of the Queen, but a reaffirmation of our nationhood. Whatever misgivings we may harbour about the institution of the monarchy or the dissonance between even a pared-down aristocracy and the democratic reality of the 21st century, the size and palpable delight of the crowds in central London this weekend should give even the most cynical pause for thought.

That the jubilee defied all forecasts of damp-squibbery to become such an unqualified success is a tribute above all to the public relations effort mounted by the Palace since the dark days that followed Princess Diana's death. Any marketing operation that managed to turn around a brand in the way that the Palace has managed to restore the popularity of the Queen and her immediate family in the past three years would win a Queen's award – and the Palace team deserves no less. But perhaps the greatest achievement of the PR wizards was the impression that they created, however illusory it may be, of openness.

The Royal Family should have nothing to fear from making itself and its premises more accessible. That does not mean a loss of dignity. The Palace was quite right not to have the Queen, Prince Charles and the rest singing "All you need is love" from the platform on Monday night, if that was ever an option. But the Prom at the Palace and the Party at the Palace struck just the right note. It would be a pity if such a familiar and central landmark as Buckingham Palace were not opened for similar events next summer.

But the jubilee also prompts conclusions that do not depend on monarchy alone for their validity. First, this past weekend's festivities, like the ceremonial that attended the funeral of the Queen Mother, showed how well we can do these things when we put our minds to it. We may have a redundant Dome and health and education systems in need of improvement, but we can put on a show with great verve and style.

Second, for all the obsolescence and inefficiency of its public transport and the perpetual building works that mar its skyline, London need not be a second-rate capital. It can look splendid when it tends its gardens, sweeps its streets and hangs out the flags, as it has done for the jubilee. It should do more of it.

Third, we should learn to work a little less and enjoy ourselves a little more in the manner of our fellow Europeans. We need as many public holidays as they have. The four-day weekend brought people out on to the streets in their thousands. The city was livelier and safer as a result. During and after Monday night's pop concert, there were delays, frustrations and long walks – but only three arrests.

Fourth, the coincidence of the jubilee weekend with the first round of the World Cup finals brought forth a patchwork of Union and St George's flags that testified to a growing national confidence that is not just British, but English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish as well. The United Kingdom has suffered, for at least half a century, from a confusion about national pride and identity that verges – for the English – on shame. It is time to shed such inhibitions and understand that, just as the French can proclaim themselves to be both patriots and Europeans, so we can be English (or Scottish or Welsh or Irish) and British and European – and proud of it. Post-jubilee euphoria offers a golden opportunity to launch this discussion.