First public appearance by Queen Elizabeth after her platinum jubilee
Queen Elizabeth left for Scotland earlier this month for yet another week of royal events following her numerous Platinum Jubilee commitments.
The monarch will spend the coming days at her residence, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, in Edinburgh, Scotland, as she and other members of the royal family attend to different tasks and celebrations. On Monday, the monarch travelled overnight on the Royal Train to Edinburgh.
The queen, who has persistent mobility challenges, attended the historic Ceremony of the Keys on Monday morning. She was dressed in a light blue coat and bonnet, and she was also carrying a bouquet of flowers. Queen Elizabeth was welcomed to her “old and hereditary kingdom of Scotland” and given the keys to the city of Edinburgh at the event.
Her eldest son, Prince Edward, and his wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, also attended the occasion with the queen. The Royal Highland Fusiliers and the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland played music as the monarch was presented with the keys on a crimson velvet cushion.
The princess hasn’t appeared in public since her Platinum Jubilee, however she did have visitors at her Windsor Castle residence this past week. The queen will also be present during an Armed Forces Act of Loyalty Parade on Tuesday in the Holyroodhouse gardens, the palace announced on Monday.
The royal family will also hold a garden party this week, where Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Edward, and Sophie will be present, as well as an investiture ceremony for Scots receiving the Queen’s honours. Although it hasn’t been confirmed, the monarch may also meet with Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland.
As the queen still has mobility issues, Buckingham Palace can only officially confirm her participation a few hours before the function because it mostly depends on how Queen Elizabeth is feeling that particular day. However, despite these recent health problems, a royal insider told People last week that the queen had resumed horseback riding after taking a temporary break due to “discomfort.” “It’s wonderful that the Queen has been on her horse at 96,” they continued.
