Queen leaves walking stick behind

The Queenwas pictured beaming and walking unaided as she greeted the president of Switzerland for her first official engagement since returning to Windsor Castle after a week’s break. She returned to Windsor on Wednesday from Sandringham, where she spent her 96th birthday last week. She smiled broadly as she shook hands and posed for photographs with President Cassis and his wife, Paola, in the Oak Room Thursday, local time. Despite recent concerns for her mobility she stood freely without her walking stick. This month she pulled out of the Royal Maundy service for the first time since 1970. She hopes to attend the state opening of parliament on May 10, Buckingham Palace said. Confirmation will come on the day, which is now the custom for all of her engagements.