Queen smiles on first engagement since Prince Philip’s funeral

Queen Elizabeth has been captured smiling on her first official engagement since the funeral of her husband, Prince Philip.

The Queen was pictured for the first time carrying out an official public engagement since the funeral of her husband and consort of seven decades, Prince Philip.

Her Majesty, 95, smiled as she held virtual audiences at Windsor Castle via video-link on Tuesday afternoon (local time).

According to The Sun, it is the first time she has been pictured undertaking her royal duties since Philip, 99, died peacefully at the Berkshire royal residence on 9 April.

The Queen, no longer in a black mourning outfit, was dressed in a pale blue and lime green floral dress which featured large purple, white and yellow flowers, with a three-string pearl necklace and a diamond brooch as accessories.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II looks on as she is relayed via a video link from Windsor Castle during a virtual audience at Buckingham Palace. Picture: AFP

She was pictured on a computer screen smiling as she held two audiences with the ambassador from the Republic of Latvia, and the ambassador from the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, who were at Buckingham Palace.

It comes after her two-week period of royal mourning for Prince Philip ended on Friday, meaning the Windsors can now go back to working full-time.

The Royal Family last gathered together for a poignant but sombre final farewell to Philip on 17 April at a scaled-down and socially-distanced funeral service in St George’s Chapel.

At the service the Queen sat alone as she grieved for her consort.

Queen Elizabeth was seen smiling for the first time since her husband’s hospitalisation. Picture: AFP

But Britain’s longest-reigning monarch was back at work just four days after Philip’s death.

Queen Elizabeth held her first in-person event on 13 April – an audience and investiture with Earl Peel, who was relinquishing his role as Lord Chamberlain.

A day later she welcomed her new Lord Chamberlain, Baron Parker, who was overseeing Philip’s funeral, at another Windsor ceremony.

She was not photographed at either of these two events.

Queen Elizabeth’s first public smile is a stark contrast to when she was last photographed. Picture: AFP

Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt suggests that Prince Charles is likely to take on a bigger public role as time goes on, while the Queen will step away from the limelight.

Mr Hunt told the New York Times: “Fundamentally, the Queen will fade away gracefully.

“COVID has helped in the sense that it has accelerated what any sensible 95-year-old woman would want to do, which is not stand on your feet all day long.”

Prince Charles is now designated as the monarch’s official “consort” – and is set to accompany his mother to the State Opening of parliament on 11 May.

Charles, 72 — who discussed the future with his father in hospital in the weeks before he died — will shoulder a greater burden of major royal duties before eventually taking over as King.

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales walks in the procession during the funeral of Prince Philip at Windsor Castle. It is thought that he will begin taking on more duties. Picture: Getty Images

A source told The Sun: “It is a clear signal that the Queen does not want the crown to skip a generation and that Prince Charles will start taking on an even bigger role in royal life.”

The Queen turned 95 just 12 days after the duke died and used her birthday to release a message thanking wellwishers for their tribute to Philip.

She said she and her family were in a “period of great sadness” but were comforted by words of praise for the duke.

“We have been deeply touched and continue to be reminded that Philip had such an extraordinary impact on countless people throughout his life,” she added.

WILLIAM’S TOUCHING COMMENT ABOUT PHILIP

Prince William made a heartfelt comment about Prince Philip during a meeting with young people in Durham.

It came after Evan Jones, 18, and Lee Middleton, 23, told him about their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

“Do you know he was my grandfather?,” Prince William asked during the visit to the Cheesy Waffles Project on Tuesday (local time).

Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge gesture during a visit to meet young people supported by the Cheesy Waffles Project. Picture: AFP

“Sadly he died a few weeks ago. He would have been so pleased that you got your awards.”

The project gives young people with learning disabilities skills to help them when they are adults.

Kate joined her husband for the visit ahead of their 10th wedding anniversary on Thursday (local time).

The Cheesy Waffles Project is a charity for children, young people and adults with additional needs in Durham. Picture: AFP

— With The Sun