Britain’s Queen Elizabeth carried out her first official engagement on Tuesday since spending a night in hospital and being ordered to rest by her doctors.
The 95-year-old queen, the world’s oldest and longest-reigning monarch, stayed overnight at London’s King Edward VII private hospital last Wednesday after undergoing “preliminary investigations” for an unspecified but not COVID-19 related ailment.
It was Elizabeth’s first overnight hospital stay for years, but royal officials said she was in good spirits and she returned to her Windsor Castle home the following day where she got back to carrying out light duties.
On Tuesday, she carried out two virtual audiences to welcome the new ambassadors to Britain from South Korea and Switzerland. Pictures showed the monarch, wearing a yellow dress, smiling and looking her usual self during the engagement.
Elizabeth, who is queen of 15 other realms including Australia, Canada and New Zealand and next year celebrates 70 years on the throne, is known for her robust health and still carrying out many public duties.
However, she was forced to cancel a planned official trip to Northern Ireland last week after her medical team said she should rest for a few days. Royal Communications said in a statement on Tuesday that the Queen will also be skipping the United Nations’ climate summit, COP26, which is set to begin on Monday.
“Her Majesty is disappointed not to attend the Reception but will deliver an address to the assembled delegates via a recorded video message,” the statement read.
— With files from Global News’ Emerald Bensadoun
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