Queen Elizabeth II attended the Royal Windsor Horse Show, viewing the animals she loves from the comfort of a car before heading to her dressing room in her first public appearance in weeks.
Key points:
- The Queen appeared happy and relaxed as she spoke with a small group during the show
- The 96-year-old has reduced her schedule since recovering from COVID-19
- The Queen will celebrate her 70th birthday on the throne next month
The monarch, seated in the front passenger seat of the vehicle, addressed a small group through the window after stopping at the parade ground near Windsor Castle, where she has spent much of the past two years .
She looked relaxed and smiled as dozens of photographers a few feet away tried to capture the moment.
The Queen’s appearances are being watched closely as Britain prepares to celebrate 70 years on the throne with four days of festivities next month.
The 96-year-old has reduced her schedule in recent months while recovering from COVID-19.
On Tuesday, she asked Prince Charles to preside over the opening of parliament and deliver the Queen’s Speech, which sets out the government’s legislative agenda.
The event is one of the Queen’s most significant public appearances, underlining her constitutional role as head of state.
Buckingham Palace has not said what prompted the Queen to delegate her role to Prince Charles, but she has experienced what the palace calls “episodic mobility issues” in recent months.
She has used a cane in recent public appearances and Prince Andrew escorted the Queen to Westminster Abbey during last month’s memorial service for her late husband Prince Philip.
PA
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