GETTING ON WITH THE JOB... just what Philip would have wanted
THE Queen has been seen carrying out an official public engagement for the first time since the death of Prince Philip.
The 95-year-old monarch held audiences at Windsor Castle via video link yesterday.
The Queen, no longer in mourning clothes but wearing a blue floral dress, was pictured on a computer screen smiling as she spoke with ambassadors from Latvia and the Ivory Coast, who were at Buckingham Palace.
She also wore a treasured wedding present – one of three diamond rose brooches given to her in 1947 by Indian prince, the Nizam of Hyderabad.
Two weeks of royal mourning in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh, who died aged 99 on April 9, ended last Friday so the Royal Family is back at work. The Queen resumed her duties before his Covid-restricted funeral in St George’s Chapel, Windsor on April 17.
She held her first in-person event on April 13 – an audience with Earl Peel, who was relinquishing his role as Lord Chamberlain.
Grieving
The next day she welcomed her new Lord Chamberlain, Baron Parker, who was overseeing the funeral, but she was not photographed at either event.
Buckingham Palace considers audiences to be official public engagements as they are listed in the Court Circular official record.
The Queen turned 95 just 12 days after the Duke died. She thanked
well-wishers for their tributes to him while the family were grieving.
Ivita Burmistre, ambassador from Latvia, yesterday presented the Letters of Recall – a formal document when an ambassador leaves – of her predecessor and her own Letters of Credence, marking her appointment.
Sara Affoue Amani, ambassador from the Ivory Coast did likewise.
Meanwhile, Prince Charles has replaced his beleaguered brother Andrew as patron of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, which this year marks its 75th anniversary.
Orchestra chiefs had asked him to step down following a BBC interview on his links to late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew has suspended his work for all of his 230 patronages.
THE sight of the Queen performing public duties so soon after the passing of her cherished husband reminds us why she commands such respect and affection.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are also hard at work following the end of the period of mourning. This magnificent family will support each other in the days ahead and their example of commitment to duty strengthens Britain.