The Queen looked on cheery form as she returned to work at Windsor Castle following a mini-break to celebrate her 96th birthday.
She held a face-to-face audience with the president of Switzerland at Windsor Castle today - her first engagement since her week-long holiday on her Sandringham estate.
The monarch smiled broadly as she shook hands and posed for photographs with Ignazio Cassis and his wife Paola in her Oak Room sitting room.
She stood without her walking stick and was dressed in a blue and grey paisley-style patterned silk dress for the audience.
Her Majesty also wore her fruit-themed sapphire and diamond grapes brooch, which features a sapphire bow and 16 small diamonds shaped like a bunch of grapes. It was inherited from the Queen Mother.
The Queen returned to her Berkshire castle yesterday after staying at the late Duke of Edinburgh’s Wood Farm cottage where she celebrated her 96th birthday.
Her Majesty wanted to be close to her beloved late husband and his cottage is nestled in the far reaches of the country estate.
Royal sources told The Mirror how the Queen appeared “refreshed and revitalised” after some rest in the countryside, where she indulged in her passion for horses by visiting the Royal Stud several times.
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The Queen has been suffering from mobility issues in recent months and has been forced to cancel or miss several high profile events.
Courtiers have since suggested the monarch should not be expected at any public events in the future ahead of time and will confirm on the day.
Buckingham Palace said the sovereign is hoping to attend the State Opening of Parliament in less than two weeks’ time, on May 10, but confirmation is expected closer to the time or on the day.
The Queen has opened Parliament on all but two occasions during her reign.
The exceptions were in 1959 and 1963, when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew and then Prince Edward when her speech was read by the Lord Chancellor.
Her high-profile Platinum Jubilee celebrations are just over a month away.
Festivities include Trooping the Colour, beacon lighting, a service of thanksgiving, the Epsom Derby, a pop concert at Buckingham Palace, and a spectacular Jubilee Pageant on the streets of London.
It has not yet been confirmed how many of the high-profile events the Queen will be able to attend, but is especially keen to attend the Derby it is understood.
