The Queen has returned to carrying out public duties today, after celebrating her 96th birthday at Sandringham.
A new picture of The Queen was released featuring two of her fell ponies to mark the occasion.
Beaming, Her Majesty met the President of Switzerland, Ignazio Cassis, and his wife, Paola, in the Oak Room at Windsor Castle for an official audience. The castle in Berkshire is now her permanent residence,
The Queen carries out her first engagement since marking her 96th Birthday. (Royal Family)
The President is currently in the UK, where he and Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed on a joint statement to work towards a UK-Swiss trade deal after Brexit.
After suffering from mobility problems recently, The Queen stood un-aided by a walking stick. She has previously used a walking stick and has commented before how she was ‘stuck’ and couldn’t move well when carrying out engagements.
She was wearing her sapphire and diamond grapes brooch, which features a sapphire bow and 16 small diamonds clustered like a bunch of grapes. It was inherited from the Queen Mother.
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
Last month, she met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. It was her first engagement since catching COVID-19 in February.
The Queen’s most recent public appearance was last month at a Service of Thanksgiving for her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey. She was joined by members of her family, as well as European Royals to honour Philip’s life.
Despite suffering from recent health issues, there will be celebrations for her official birthday and Platinum Jubilee in June.
The Queen during an audience with President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis at Windsor Castle today
A Buckingham Palace spokesman has noted how she is hoping to attend the State Opening of Parliament on 10th May, but confirmation is expected closer to the time.
Festivities to mark the Platinum Jubilee include Trooping the Colour, beacon lighting, a service of thanksgiving, the Epsom Derby, a concert at Buckingham Palace, and a spectacular Jubilee Pageant on the streets of London. However, it has not yet been confirmed how many events The Queen will be able to attend.
