With smile to lift us all, the merry winner of Windsor
Beaming proudly, the Queen raised cheers of delight as she made her first public appearance since march yesterday.
The 96-year-old monarch attended one of her favourite events of the year, the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
and, while her mobility was clearly limited, her spirits were most definitely not as she accepted a trophy after her horse was named supreme champion.
On Tuesday she reluctantly missed the State Opening of Parliament on the advice of royal doctors and delegated her role – for the first time – to the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge.
it was the latest in a string of cancelled public appearances which have led to widespread concern for Her majesty’s health.
She was last seen in public when she attended a service commemorating the life of her husband, the Duke of edinburgh, on march 29.
But the sovereign, who will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee next month, couldn’t have looked perkier as she drove from Windsor Castle to the worldfamous horse show in the grounds of the estate.
She has not missed an event since the show started in 1943 and had several horses competing in various classes.
Looking relaxed and animated, the head of state sat in her Range Rover and watched entrants in the parade ring as she chatted to officials and members of staff through the open passenger window.
Wearing a blue cardigan, grey skirt and her familiar headscarf – as well as sunglasses and carrying a favourite handbag – the Queen spent almost an hour chatting to friends including retired racehorse trainer Henrietta Knight.
Colin Brooks, chairman of the show’s committee, also shared a joke with the Queen, and her head groom Terry Pendry was on hand to offer his expertise.
The Queen had arrived to watch the Highland Class 64 event and was duly rewarded when her grey dun mare, Balmoral Leia, was named winner – and later announced as supreme champion.
Dozens of members of the public were keen to get a glimpse of the Queen. Cathy Paige, an american tourist from massachusetts, said she was in awe after standing just a few feet from her, adding: ‘i didn’t expect to see her. That was a wish, a dream, but never a possibility. it was a moment i’ll never forget.’
Later the monarch joined the earl and Countess of Wessex to watch her granddaughter, Lady Louise Windsor, in a carriage display marking the centenary of the Fell Pony Society. Poignantly, she was driving Prince Philip’s ponies and trap.
The Queen was spotted walking into the arena using her stick and taking a lift up to her place in the stands, where she sat with her family and friend Penelope Knatch
bull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma – Philip’s former carriagedriving partner.
Buckingham Palace has recently moved to temper expectations about the Queen’s appearances in public. But, if yesterday’s heartening show is anything to go by, hopes are high that we’ll see more of her during the jubilee celebrations.
IT is testament to how much the Queen means to the nation that when she pulls out of public appearances, people worry.
Like most 96-year-olds she’s not as sprightly as she once was and sometimes needs rest. But when we do see her beaming smile, it cheers the whole country.
Yesterday, Her Majesty radiated happiness at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Her determination to carry on with as many duties as possible is truly inspiring.
With the historic Platinum Jubilee celebrations approaching, we give thanks for her exemplary reign.