Queen all smiles on public outing as her horse is named supreme champion

THE Queen was all smiles when her horse was named supreme champion after she made a rare public appearance and joined crowds at an equestrian show.

Looking relaxed and laughing, the head of state sat in a vehicle and watched entrants in the parade ring as she chatted to officials from the Royal Windsor Horse Show and members of her staff through the open passenger window.

The monarch was last seen in public when she attended a service commemorating the life of her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, in March.

The 96-year-old monarch had missed the State Opening of Parliament on Tuesday on the advice of royal doctors due to her continuing mobility problems and delegated her role to the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge.

But, despite concerns about her health, she appeared well and spent almost an hour at the parade ring close to her Windsor Castle home.

Colin Brooks, chairman of the show’s committee, shared a joke with the Queen.

The Queen watched the Highland Class 64 event and her horse, Balmoral Leia, was named winner and later supreme champion.