At her first public appearance in public since the State Opening of Parliament, today’s Queen received the cup.
Her Majesty was back on her feet and brimming with excitement as she visited the Royal Windsor Horse Show – one of her favourite events of the year – despite ongoing mobility problems.
As she watched Balmoral Leia, her horse, compete in the show marking the start of her official Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, the 96-year old monarch looked healthy and happy.
As she arrived in Range Rover, Her Majesty was cheered by the crowd. She then sat down at her window and chatted animatedly with festival-goers.
Her husband, Prince Philip, died at the age 99 last April. The Royal Windsor Horse Show audience was equally excited to welcome her to the show.
On Tuesday, her Majesty missed the Queen’s Speech due to a doctor’s order. Her Majesty chose initially to sit in the passenger seat in her Range Rover and speak to passersby while watching the horses parade ring.
And after an hour or so, with the aid of a stick, she walked slowly around 30ft to her seat in the grandstand between her son Prince Edward and Penny Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma. The Queen was as happy to be there as could be.
Edward’s spouse Sophie, Countess from Wessex was there as well to support her husband. Her highland pony, the Highland Pony, won first prize, earning her a trophy. Her Majesty also watched with pride as her granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor, driving the Duke of Edinburgh’s carriage, led the Fell Pony Society centenary parade.
Soon after, the Queen marched unaided back to Windsor Castle with her Range Rover. She waved at cheering crowds and waved goodbye.
A beaming Queen as she began her Platinum Jubilee celebrations at her beloved Royal Windsor Horse Show
Today’s photo shows the 96-year old monarch, who was struggling with mobility but is now walking with a stick and Edward as she approaches her jubilee
The Queen looked beyond delighted as she won a cup at the Royal Windsor Horse Show today – her first public appearance since missing the State Opening of Parliament
As she watched the parade ring in this afternoon’s afternoon, the Queen patted her leg and clapped horses.
On her left, the Queen sat beside Penny Knatchbull (Countess de Burma) and Edward
To huge crowd cheers, Her Majesty smiled wide as the trophy and inscription were presented to her.
The Queen is back on her feet today as she attended the Royal Windsor Horse Show, walking around 30ft to her seat next to her son Prince Edward this afternoon
As she gazed on, the smiling monarch, wearing sunglasses and her trademark headcarf, smiled.
After spending some time at Windsor Castle, the Queen took a walk with her Range Rover and a stick.
When Her Majesty The Queen leaves the Royal Windsor Horse display, she waves at her Range Rover vehicle
Sophie, Countess of Wessex, takes a picture of her daughter Lady Louise Windsor, who took part in the event
Lady Louise was driving the Duke of Edinburgh’s carriage, led the Fell Pony Society centenary parade.
Today, Her Majesty will arrive at The Royal Windsor Horse Show in Home Park
As she arrived at Royal Windsor Horse Show, the Queen seemed thrilled to be here today
One time, the monarch of 96 years began to move her finger while speaking with festivalgoers.
Later, she leaned from her windows as Balmoral Leia, her horse, competed in the parade.
The Queen was happy to smile at the people and soak up the ambience from Range Rover. However, she decided to remain in her car because of mobility issues.
Her Majesty cheers upon her horses
The Queen secretly went to visit her horses after she had missed yesterday’s first day. Over the following days 14 of her horses will participate in the event, and the monarch was seen smiling as she watched them.
Today’s parade ring was neared by the Range Rover. The Queen addressed a group of officials through the car window.
She seemed happy, smiled, and laughed as she talked, while dozens of photographers stood nearby trying to capture the moment.
As relaxing classical music was played, the horses went through the paces in the parade ring.
Numerous members of the general public wanted to capture a moment in history, so they held up their cameras to take photos of Queen Elizabeth II.
Last time the monarch was seen publicly, she attended the March service to honor her husband, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
After achieving her Platinum Jubilee, she overcame an episode of Covid that had been detected in her February test results. In April, she celebrated her 96th birth privately at Sandringham.
In October last year, she was admitted to hospital for a night. Over the next three months, doctors ordered her to limit light duty and so she missed several important events.
Since attending a commemorative service last October to mark the 100th anniversary of the Royal British Legion she has been walking with a stick since then.
The Royal Windsor Horse Show features enelope Knatchbull. Queen Elizabeth II. Prince Edward. Earl of Wessex. Sophie. Countess.
The Earl of Wessex and Queen Elizabeth II in the royal box, where was a presentation
After she missed the State Opening of Parliament in 2011, there was some speculation that her absence would mean she would miss the event which has been one of the most important highlights of her year. According to insiders, she wanted to attend the event and would be thrilled to.
The Queen is a great lover of horses and she parked her car where it offered her a spectacular view of the parade rings.
As Britain’s Queen Elizabeth watches the Royal Windsor Horse Show, and the Platinum Jubilee Celebration in Windsor, she is seen in the mirror of her car as she watches the horses compete.
As she watched horses parade at Windsor Castle, the 96-year old had a great time.
A few well-wishers stopped by to chat to the monarch, who seemed very pleased to spend the day at the favourite horse show with them.
She spoke with a Royal Windsor Show participant. This event was loved by her husband, Prince Philip.
This morning, Her Majesty spoke with three to four people via the Range Rover window. It will also include the “Gallop Through history” performance as part of official Platinum Jubilee celebrations
A Range Rover was parked right next to the parade rings and the 96-year old driver drove the Range Rover to the showground.
People were thrilled to see her sitting in the front seat, dressed casually in a white blouse with a blue cardigan-style shirt and sunglasses.
Every official and every official came to Her Majesty’s car to talk horses.
This man’s words to the monarch caused her laughter days after the Queen Speech was missed.
While the Queen looked around at all the shows, she decided to stay in her car.
The show, which kicked off yesterday and will run until Sunday, is the Queen’s favourite event of the year but Princess Beatrice stepped in for Her Majesty in a ‘dress rehearsal’ for Sunday night’s festivities.
Beatrice was said to have ‘delighted to be asked to play the role of the Queen’ to make sure the event would go ‘without a hitch should Her Majesty wish to attend the Royal Windsor Horse Show in this way.’
Instead of going to the event, she chose to see her horses. In 79 years, she has never missed the event and 14 of her horses will be competing in this year’s show.
It was the setting of The Queen To see First Responder, her five-year old gelding, she was to be driven 500m from her Windsor Castle apartment. However her appearance was abruptly canceled minutes before her horse took part.
Reports indicate that she then visited privately her horses who were entered in the competition at the Royal Mews at Castle.
The Queen suddenly pulled out of the State Opening of Parliament this week due to increasing mobility. Prince Charles, along with Prince William, read the speech, which was her first public reading.
It has now been confirmed that Beatrice, Edo and Princess Eugenie (32), along with Jack Brooskbank and other royals won’t be making an appearance on Buckingham Palace’s balcony during Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations.
A balcony appearance is often seen at the centerpiece of major royal occasions such as Trooping to the Colour and weddings. This is where the Queen’s extended families gather for a flypast. Fans rarely get to see their entire extended family.
Following his ejection from public life, after settling a civil court case in America over allegations of sexual abuse against Virginia Giuffre (which he vehemently denies), it was inconceivable that Beatrice and Eugenie’s father Prince Andrew would be given a spot.
They were denied a spot on the platform under earlier claims by Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle. But they announced that today they will still be there to celebrate with their two children.
The Queen was forced to remove a few well-liked members of her family, such as her grandchildren and their families, when she reduced the list to 16. This is to avoid any diplomatic pitfalls.
She is also missing her cousins Prince Michael of Kent and their families with whom she enjoys warm relationships, as well as at least 34 other royals.
Final balcony lineup: The Prince of Wales, The Duchess Of Cornwall; The Duke and Duchess and Earl of Cambridge with their children; The Earl and Countesss and Lady of Wessex with their children; The Princess Royal and Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence; The Duke and Duchesss and Gloucester; The Duke of Kent; and Princess Alexandra.
As she was unable to attend the Royal Windsor Horse Show’s first day, the Queen took a private trip to visit her horses (photo taken at the 2011 event).
The charity preview of A Gallop Through History Platinum Jubilee at Windsor Castle saw Princess Beatrice arrive. Picture date: Wednesday May 11
Lady Louise Windsor drove a carriage which once belonged the Duke of Edinburgh at the Royal Windsor Horse Show at Windsor Castle during the A Gallop Through History Platinum Jubilee celebration. Picture date: Thursday May 12
The Queen’s other adult grandchildren, Peter Philips and Zara Tindall have been excluded with their families, even though their mother Princess Anne and stepfather Sir Timothy Laurence will join the Queen.
Buckingham Palace made a formal statement regarding the decision. It stated: “After careful consideration, the Queen has determined that this year’s Trooping The Colour balcony appearance will be restricted to Her Majesty, and the Members of the Royal family who are currently performing official public duties for The Queen.”
However, there are some exceptions. There are exceptions.
According to a Palace spokesperson, “The Cambridge and Wessex kids are also expected to make an appearance as is Sir Tim Laurence. This is someone the Queen would be happy to support on official engagements as both a frequent visitor and supporter for Princess Royal.”
Following reports that her Majesty might not make it to the balcony because of limited mobility, the announcement was made.
According to an insider, aides may be working on a plan B. He said: “It might still happen, but it’s not guaranteed that the Queen will be on the balcony during Jubilee.”
Recent balcony visits have been less focused on the senior staff members but, in general, family members can attend Trooping to the Colour on the Queen’s birthday.
Unseen footage taken from the royal family’s personal collection is made available for BBC documentary The Queen Unseen. It shows Princess Elizabeth, her corgi and her younger sister Margaret.
Extraordinary footage showing the Queen as a carefree young girl, taken from the royal family’s private collection of home videos, is set to be featured in upcoming BBC documentary Elizabeth: The Queen Unseen.
A trailer released by BBC on Thursday evening showed clips taken from hundreds of recordings released to the British Film Institute (BFI) and the BBC for the landmark TV documentary marking the Platinum Jubilee.
In one clip, the Queen is seen on the Royal Yacht Britannia, learning how to skip on the deck of the vessel, while another sees her alongside her sister Margaret and their beloved father King George VI onboard HMS Vanguard in 1947.
The BBC also picked another excerpt after looking through more than 400 films. This shows Queen Elizabeth as a teenage girl wearing a suit in linen and white, while linking arms to her grandmother, Queen Mary.
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A new trailer for upcoming BBC One documentary The Queen Unseen features previously unseen footage from the royal family’s home video collection (Pictured: The Queen onboard HMS Vanguard in 1947)
Intimate Portrait: A clip from the documentary shows Princess Elizabeth at her teen years with her Corgi beside her.
Another clip shows Queen Elizabeth in her childhood. She is wearing a red blazer, smiling and laughing with Princess Margaret.
This programme tells her story in her own words and shows her family’s view of her during her time on the throne.
The Queen may be one of the most filmed and photographed people in history, but these previously unseen images – taken by the people who know her best of all – offer a rare glimpse of her at her most unguarded.
Many show Her Majesty as a carefree teenager before the responsibilities that would follow within a decade are thrust upon her; one clip sees her with a beloved corgi by her side, and another, when she younger, shows the monarch-to-be grinning from ear-to-ear while playing with younger sibling Princess Margaret.
One poignant, carefree photo shows Princess Elizabeth, young sister to Princess Margaret and King George VI as they bask in the sun, while the wind blows their hair.
The two are shown together aboard HMS Vanguard, which was on a 1947 South Africa tour. This trip saw Princess Elizabeth turn 21 and make a historic promise of service to future generations.
Another clip shows the Queen learning to ski on the Royal Yacht Britannia while Margaret is playing in the background
Prince Margaret and Princess Elizabeth holding hands with King George VI, their father on board HMS Vanguard in 1947
British Film Institute started digitizing the films. A BBC team got special access. Pictured: Queen Elizabeth as a teenager in a linen-blue and white suit. She links arms to her grandmother, Queen Mary.
Same smile! The BBC team spent months working through over 400 films to compile the programme to mark the Platinum Jubilee next month, which will air on Sunday May 29th (Pictured: The Queen at Windsor Castle in April this year, right: A 20-year-old Princess Elizabeth enjoying a visit to South Africa in 1947)
The beaming Princess Elizabeth displays her newly purchased engagement ring shortly after Prince Philip got married at Balmoral, 1946.
Such memories have special resonance as the 96-year-old Monarch marks 70 years since she inherited the crown, taking on her father’s legacy after he died in his sleep at Sandringham aged 56.
Paying tribute on the anniversary of his death in February, the Queen renewed the pledge she made in South Africa, vowing to her subjects that ‘my life will always be devoted to your service’.
The footage was shot by Princess Philip, her parents and the Queen. It had previously been kept by the Royal Collection, British Film Institute vaults.
A BBC team had special access to the BFI’s old film reels when they began digitizing them. To compile Elizabeth: The Unseen King, a 75-minute program that consists of more than 400 films, the team spent several months.
The documentary will feature no ‘talking head’ interviews but will rely instead on the newly discovered footage and the Queen’s own commentary, taken from nearly 60 of her recorded speeches. The result captures the Queen’s early life, starting from her being pushed in a pram by her mother in 1926 through to coronation in 1953.
The Princess gazes at her three-carat, diamond-encrusted engagement ring in one frame.
The Grenadier Guards battalion at Hove (East Sussex), 17 May 1944, Princess Elizabeth. In 1942, Princess Elizabeth was made Colonel in the Grenadier Guards.
The date is 1946 and she is obviously emotional. She has just received the ring from Prince Philip of Denmark and Greece, her suitor. He had created it using jewels from his mother’s tiara.
It was captured on film by one of the Royal Family members at Balmoral. Perhaps Philip. This is an intimate moment that has never been publicly seen. The importance of this marriage for the Monarchy’s future was something that few in the Royal Family had imagined. In fact, the entire family was unaware of the marriage proposal for quite some time.
Although King George VI was pleased with their match, he asked that the couple wait one year until Elizabeth turns 21 before making the announcement public.
The footage also contains other fun moments. One shows her father playing with a young Prince Charles and Princess Anne at Balmoral in 1951, which was to be the King’s last visit there.
One scene also features rare footage showing Elizabeth with Prince George Duke of Kent. This uncle died while active-duty in 1942 in a plane accident.
A lighthearted segment was also recorded shortly after the wedding of Queen Philip and Prince Philip. The couple laugh at the idea of filming from a boat, despite the fact that it is nearly impossible to do so due to the rocking waves.
In 1947, Princess Elizabeth was 20 years old and enjoyed a trip to South Africa.
The BBC hopes the film, which it claims is ‘unlike conventional documentaries’ about the Queen, will draw millions of viewers.
‘The production team was under no illusion quite how special having access to this very personal archive was,’ says Claire Popplewell, creative director for BBC Studios.
‘Being able to draw upon the self-recorded history of a young Princess Elizabeth and her wider family – and allowing the Queen to tell us her own story – is the heart of this film.’
Simon Young, the BBC’s commissioning editor for history programmes, adds: ‘This documentary is an extraordinary glimpse into a deeply personal side of the Royal Family that is rarely seen and it’s wonderful to be able to share it with the nation as we mark her Platinum Jubilee.’
Other images taken from the Royal Archive that were made available this weekend show Princess Elizabeth performing her Royal duties in the worst days of World War II.
The 19th of May 1944, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the future Queen Mother), watched a demonstration of gliders landing at the control tower windows. Royal guests spent the day among airborne troops, who were part of Britain’s D-Day invasion force.
In May 1944, just a month after her 18th birthday, Elizabeth accompanied her parents to spend the day with airborne troops who would play a critical part in the Allies’ D-Day Normandy landings the following month.
As she gazes from the windows of a control tower to see a display of gliders, she talks with paratroopers before watching a parachutist perform a mass landing.
Two days before, Elizabeth was seen inspecting the Grenadier Guards battalion at Hove in East Sussex. A second, rare photo shows Elizabeth. The regiment had appointed her Colonel on her 16th Birthday.
She is seen in the same gown on both her engagements, demonstrating the thrift she has displayed throughout her entire life.
The historic pictures will appear in the Imperial War Museum’s forthcoming exhibition, Crown And Conflict: Portraits Of A Queen In Wartime, which opens in London on May 27.
Elizabeth: The Unseen King will air on Sunday May 29th on BBC1.