Inside hardworking Queen’s hectic past six months from Platinum Jubilee to Prince Andrew scandal
While she did step back from some royal duties, the Queen was still working furiously during the last few months.
She’s thrilled crowds from the Buckingham Palace balcony and endured scrutiny over the Prince Andrew scandal – so it’s fair to say it’s been a hectic few months for Her Majesty.
But the hardworking royal has ploughed on through it all with a smile on her face.
While the Queen, who has battled mobility issues for the past year, “rests comfortably” at Balmoral on doctor’s orders, The Sun takes a look back at the 96-year-old’s jam-packed 2022 schedule.
September
The monarch formally appointed Liz Truss as the 56th Prime Minister with a special audience at Balmoral.
The pair met for the traditional “kissing of the hands” ceremony on Tuesday lunchtime.
Supported by a walking stick, Her Majesty grinned as she shook hands with Ms Truss – the 15th PM she has appointed during her 70-year reign.
August
In August, the Queen watched as Meghan Markle stirred up more royal drama in an interview with The Cut magazine.
The Duchess of Sussex claimed she and Harry upset the Palace “by just existing”, which is why they left Britain for the States.
The 41-year-old also said: “Harry said to me, ‘I lost my dad in this process’.”
Charles, 73, was said to be saddened by the quote.
August also saw rumours circulate around Harry refusing to hand senior royals an advance copy of his memoir.
Members of The Firm will read the explosive book at the same time as the public, and have no idea when it will be published, it’s understood.
July
July was relatively quiet compared to chock-a-block June, but the Queen still made time to show her funny side.
At a visit to open a new centre at Thames Hospice in Maidenhead, she made a hilarious quip after a phone rang following her arrival.
Just as she was introduced to Graham White and his wife Pat, who was receiving care there, his phone went off.
With a smile on her face, the Queen quipped: “Typical, a phone goes off immediately.”
Afterwards, Pat said: “People think the Queen is all stiff upper lip but she has a sense of humour.”
Her Majesty also awarded NHS heroes with the George Cross at a special Windsor ceremony in July.
But she travelled to her private Scottish home of Balmoral on July 21 for her traditional summer break, where she remains not under medical supervision.
June
June was dominated by the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations to mark her historic 70 years on the throne.
While she was forced to pull out of several events due to ongoing health concerns, Her Majesty thrilled crowds when she appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
She gasped, “Oh, how incredible” as she watched the colourful fly-past – as crowds gave her a rousing three cheers.
She was clearly overwhelmed by the public response as her four-day festivities started in a blaze of colour and joy.
US-based Meghan and Harry flew over for the occasion, and the Queen finally met her namesake, great-granddaughter Lilibet.
Later that month she received an award for her “unstinting service” to the Church of England.
Archbishop Justin Welby presented the monarch with a Canterbury Cross, praising her as “an example of a Christian life well led”.
She also met with members of the Armed Forces during an act of loyalty parade in Edinburgh and attended another parade in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
May
In May, Her Majesty made the tough decision not to attend the State Opening of parliament for the first time in 59 years.
The Palace attributed her absence to “episodic mobility problems”.
But she did receive a standing ovation a the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
The Queen looked delighted when her horse Balmoral Leia was named winner of the Highland Class 64 event, and later supreme champion.
Several days later, she made a surprise appearance on the London Underground to open the new Elizabeth line at Paddington Station.
Her Majesty topped up her Oyster card in front of a crowd of gobsmacked commuters, joined by her son Edward.
Also in May, the monarch was the guest of honour at the equestrian extravaganza A Gallop Through History in Windsor.
And she stunned TV viewers with her unexpected response to a joke by Omid Djalili.
The comedian made reference to her missing the State Opening of parliament in favour of the show, saying: “Thank you for picking us.”
When the camera panned to her, Her Maj lifted her hand up and gave a light shrug to show her enjoyment at the gibe.
But she rounded the month off with a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show – in her new hi-tech golf buggy.
Dubbed the Queen Mobile the electric cart allows her to take her corgis for a walk around Windsor Castle.
April
On April 9, the Queen marked one year since losing her “strength and stay” Prince Philip.
She is said to have spent the day reflecting “privately”, just one week after the Royal Family attended a Service of Thanksgiving for the Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey.
March
The tearful Queen paid a heartbreaking farewell to her beloved husband at a poignant service honouring his life.
The monarch walked arm-in-arm with her “favourite” son Prince Andrew as the thanksgiving service began at Westminster Abbey.
Once she reached the end of the aisle, she detached herself from Andrew’s elbow and confidently made the last few steps alone.
She chose to have the Duke of York aid her, despite his recent sex case shame.
Just weeks earlier, Andrew agreed to settle with his accuser Virginia Roberts in a stunning U-turn.
He had been due to face a gruelling court battle at the hands of top US lawyers, but instead agreed to pay his alleged victim, via a charity donation, an undisclosed sum – reported to be as high as £12m.
This story appeared in The Sun and is reproduced with permission.
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