The Queen’s stoic spirit shone through today as she returned to work today with a beaming smile in her first official engagements since the funeral of he beloved Prince Philip.
No longer dressed in a black mourning outfit, the monarch, 95, was seen via videolink from Windsor Castle while welcoming dignitaries to Buckingham Palace.
Appearing on screen dressed in a pale blue floral dress, with pearls, she held a virtual audience to receive Her Excellency Ivita Burmistre, the Ambassador of Latvia, at Buckingham Palace.
She also received Her Excellency Sara Affoue Amani, the Ambassador of Cote d’Ivoire, during the virtual meeting.
It comes 10 days after the funeral of her husband Prince Philip, who died at the age of 99 earlier this month.
The Queen has returned to work as she today conducted her first engagements since Prince Philip’s funeral
She appeared on screen with a beaming smile during a virtual audience to receive Her Excellency Ivita Burmistre, the Ambassador of Latvia, at Buckingham Palace
She also received Her Excellency Sara Affoue Amani, the Ambassador of Cote d’Ivoire, at Buckingham Palace
It comes after the funeral of her husband Prince Philip, who died at the age of 99 earlier this month. Pictured: The Queen at the funeral of her beloved husband Prince Philip on April 17
Though it is the first time the Queen has been photographed working since the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral, on April 17, it is not the first time she has been back to work since his death.
The Queen stoically returned to royal duties just four days after the death of the Duke of Edinburgh on April 9.
On that occasion she attended retirement ceremony for the former Lord Chamberlain Earl Peel on Tuesday.
Then, in her second official engagement since Prince Philip’s death, she welcomed her new Lord Chamberlain to his post.
Notably, in her most recent appearance today the Queen was pictured no longer in a black mourning outfit.
She was dressed in a pale blue floral dress which featured large purple, white and yellow flowers, with a three-string pearl necklace and a diamond brooch as accessories.
The Queen appears on a screen by videolink from Windsor Castle, where she is in residence, during a virtual audience to receive Her Excellency Sara Affoue Amani, the Ambassador of Cote d’Ivoire
It was all smiles for both the Queen and Her Excellency Ivita Burmistre, the Ambassador of Latvia during the virtual meeting at Buckingham Palace today
Two weeks of royal mourning in memory of the Queen’s husband of 73 years ended for the monarchy and their households on Friday April 23, meaning the Windsors were allowed to go back to work full-time.
The royal family gathered for a poignant final farewell to Philip on April 17 at a socially-distanced funeral service in St George’s Chapel, with the Queen pictured sat alone as she grieved for her consort.
The Queen turned 95 just 12 days after the duke died and used her birthday to release a message thanking well-wishers 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.
Ivita Burmistre, ambassador from the Republic of Latvia, presented the Letters of Recall of her predecessor and her own Letters of Credence at the audience, as did Sara Affoue Amani, ambassador from the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire.
Earlier this month, and just four days after the death of Prince Philip, the Queen bid farewell to Earl Peel – a key royal aide who retired after 14 years of service.
Earl Peel was the Lord Chamberlain – the most senior officer role in the royal household.
He had overseen arrangements for the duke’s funeral before handing responsibility to his successor, former MI5 spy chief Baron Parker, just over a week before Philip died peacefully at Windsor Castle.
Baron Parker officially took up his new role on April 1, following the Earl Peel’s retirement after more than 14 years in the post.
After saying goodbye to Earl Peel, days later the Queen welcomed Baron Parker into the role in her second official engagement since Prince Philip’s death.