Queen stands without walking stick as she accepts Jubilee honour

The 96-year-old monarch ditched one thing as she accepted a special Jubilee honour. SEE PHOTOS

Queen Elizabeth beamed as she was presented with a Canterbury Cross by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

The 96-year-old smiled and stood without her walking stick during the presentation at Windsor Castle, which recognised her “unstinting” service to the Church of England over 70 years.

Her Majesty, who has recently faced mobility issues, wore glasses and a cream floral dress complete with pearl earrings and necklace.

But it was seeing her walk unaided that‘s drawn the most attention.

Queen Elizabeth II receives the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby at Windsor Castle. Picture: Getty Images

Archbishop Welby gave the silver cross as “a heartfelt symbol of the love, loyalty and affection in which the Church of England holds Her Majesty”.

Archbishop Welby was supposed to take the Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral as part of the Platinum Jubilee weekend, but withdrew after suffering Covid and pneumonia.

Instead he congratulated the Queen during the in-person meeting on Monday.

Archbishop Welby presents the Queen a special 'Canterbury Cross'. Picture: Getty Images

In the citation for the Cross, which was presented as a framed piece of calligraphy, the Archbishop wrote:

“Throughout her reign, Her Majesty has duly upheld both the Christian religion and the Church of England in her roles as Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Whether in the formality of opening sessions of General Synod or the more intimate context of her personal addresses to the nation and Commonwealth at Christmas, Her Majesty has made manifest her own deep faith and its relevance to all that she undertakes.

Her Majesty stood without her walking stick. Picture: AFP

“Her subtle understanding of the changing position of the Established Church in England has sustained and encouraged laity and clergy alike. Her care for the unity of her people and the welfare of the least fortunate have been a constant inspiration to the whole Church. Hers is an example of the Christian life well led.

“This presentation of the Canterbury Cross is a heartfelt symbol of the love, loyalty and affection in which the Church of England holds Her Majesty and it represents the recognition and gratitude of her whole Church for her seventy years of unstinting service. God Save The Queen!”

Queen Elizabeth has recently faced mobility issues. Picture: Getty Images

A specially cast version of the cross was made for Her Majesty with platinum inserts in honour of the Platinum Jubilee.

As Supreme Governor of the Church of England and ‘Defender of the Faith’, Her Majesty has regularly opened sessions of the General Synod of the Church of England.

In 2012, the Queen paid tribute to “the particular mission of Christianity and the general value of faith in this country” during a speech at Lambeth Palace.

Her Majesty’s Christmas addresses to the nation and the Commonwealth have often included wisdom from her understanding of Scripture and the Christian faith.

Originally published as Queen stands without walking stick as she accepts Jubilee honour