The Queen has made an official appearance at Windsor Castle just days before the first anniversary of the death of her husband Prince Philip. This Saturday (April 9) marks one year since the Duke of Edinburgh died “peacefully” at the age of 99.
One week after making a rare in-person appearance to attend Prince Philip’s memorial service, the Queen held virtual meetings from Windsor Castle with the UK ambassadors of Libya and the Republic of Congo.
Appearing via video monitor, the Queen greeted Pascal Gayama and Salah Mrehil, who were both present from Buckingham Palace. The Monarch was seen smiling, dressed in a floral print dress and pearl necklace.
Also read: New sculpture off Stokes Croft shows man carrying Monopoly board
It came after Her Majesty joined her family, dressed in Prince Philip’s favourite colour Edinburgh green, to celebrate the life of the late Duke. Her son Prince Andrew, in his first public appearance since setting a civil sex assault case, accompanied her to Westminster Abbey.
It was the first major event this year attended by the 95-year-old monarch, who tested positive for coronavirus in February. There had been doubts she would attend, and she only made the final decision to hours before the service.
Special measures were put in place for her comfort, including keeping the length of the service to 45 minutes. The Queen has had mobility problems, and had to pull out of the Commonwealth Service earlier this month.
Now that her home base has moved from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle, which is reportedly where the Cambridge’s are also moving to be close to her, it means more virtual, and less in-person, royal duties for the Queen.
Prince Charles, Prince William and Princess Anne are now regularly carrying out investitures - where members of the royal family present medals to those who have been awarded honours in person - on behalf of the Queen.
When the Queen had Covid, Prince William reportedly took charge of the Queen’s estates. Royal expert Natalie Oliveri told Express.co.uk: "He apparently is taking charge of the Balmoral and Sandringham estates in the Queen's absence, those were jobs that his grandfather Prince Philip would have done before his passing, so really William is preparing to be king one day of course after his father."
Now that Prince Andrew has been stripped of his royal role, and Prince Harry and Meghan have moved to California, other senior royals including Camilla, Kate Middleton, and Prince Edward and Sophie have also been asked to step up.
Get the best stories about the things you love most curated by us and delivered to your inbox every day. Choose what you love here
