The Queen made her first public appearance after a brief
period of isolation after Prince Charles tested positive for COVID-19 after
spending time with his mother.
The 95-year-old indicated
that she was experiencing some mobility problems, however.
In an ITV News video of the event circulated on
Twitter, the Queen, who was standing with the aid of a walking stick, pointed
to her left leg or foot, and commented: “Well, as you can see, I
can’t move.”
After carrying out her
engagements virtually for the last six days, Her Majesty held an in-person audience at Windsor
Castle, meeting with the incoming Defence Services Secretary, Major General
Eldon Millar, and his predecessor, Rear Admiral James Macleod, on Wednesday.
Her Majesty, who looked as
elegant as ever in a stunning geometric patterned dress, could also be heard
jokingly remarking to the military men as they arrived: “Oh, I’m
here! I thought you might have just stayed in there for ages. Good
morning.”
Rear Admiral Macleod
remarked: “Well, many congratulations on the start of your Jubilee
year,” to which the Queen replied: “Oh, thank you very much indeed.
That’s very kind.”
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The Queen met with military officials at Windsor Castle
The visitors revealed
that they had been growled at by the Queen’s elderly dog, Candy the dorgi – a cross between a
corgi and a dachshund – as they made their way through the monarch’s apartment.
Rear Admiral Macleod told
her: “I notice you’ve got Candy keeping guard because, as we came down the
corridor, she was not going to let us get anywhere near you.” Maj General
Millar agreed: “She gave a little growl as we came in.”
The Queen replied:
“Oh really…she doesn’t normally growl,” to which Rear-Admiral Macleod
quipped: “She obviously can see through us.”
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The monarch pictured during a virtual meeting with the Spanish Ambassador, Jose Pascual Marco Martinez
The Queen is understood to
have been feeling slightly stiff, rather than suffering from an injury or
illness.
While Buckingham
Palace declined to publicly comment on
whether the Queen had tested positive for COVID-19 or experienced any symptoms,
her prompt return to work suggests that she may have avoided contracting the
virus.
