Queen Elizabeth II in Scotland for 'Holyrood week'

The queen has held recent audiences at Windsor Castle with foreign diplomats and the Archbishop of Canterbury but had not been certain to travel to Edinburgh

Queen Elizabeth II travelled to Scotland on Monday for a week of royal events and took part in a ceremony in Edinburgh, despite question marks over her attendance.

It was the first public appearance for the 96-year-old monarch, who has been dogged by ill health, since her Platinum Jubilee celebrations ended on June 5.

She took part in the Ceremony of the Keys, which sees her handed the keys of the city and welcomed to her "ancient and hereditary kingdom" of Scotland.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex are known as the Earl and Countess of Forfar in Scotland.

The monarch's disgraced second son, Prince Andrew -- the Earl of Inverness north of the border -- is not involved.

In May, royal officials said the queen would not attend this summer's royal garden parties at Buckingham Palace and at Holyrood.

She has since complained of difficulties walking and standing, and has increasingly been seen using a stick for support.

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