The Queen and other family members have traveled to Scotland for their customary week of festivities north of the border. She intends to fulfill a number of obligations, including a meeting with Nicola Sturgeon.
The 96-year-old, who has scaled back her public appearances due to mobility concerns, is in Edinburgh and was beaming as she took part in the revered Ceremony of the Keys, which serves as the Royals’ customary start to Holyrood week.
For the occasion in the Palace of Holyroodhouse, she is accompanied by her youngest son Edward and his wife Sophie, who are recognized as the Earl and Countess of Forfar while they are in Scotland.
The monarch is given the city’s keys at the event, and she is also welcomed to her “old and hereditary kingdom of Scotland.”
Her Majesty “hopes” to fulfill a number of engagements during her visit, including a meeting with Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister of Scotland.
The trip follows the Queen’s recent Platinum Jubilee festivities, during which she vowed to carry out her duties “to the best of my ability backed by my family” going forward.
Over the next few days, the Princess Royal, Charles, and the Earl of Rothesay, as he is known in Scotland, will all participate in a number of public events there.
The Earl of Inverness, as Andrew is known in Scotland, no longer performs official duties and will not be participating.
Just days after she was spotted without the walking stick she had previously relied on, it was revealed over the weekend that The Queen had defied physicians by mounting her beloved horses once more.
The 96-year-old king has apparently been riding in Windsor nine months after being told to stop.
This month’s Platinum Jubilee activities were missed by her due to unidentified “mobility concerns,” and she was frequently spotted with a stick.
She was even “walking” her corgis in a golf buggy. But she seems to have made more headway after meeting Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby at Windsor Castle on Tuesday without a stick.
The Queen has relished getting back on her horse, a source told The Sun, adding that she had missed riding for nine months.
After those concerns about her health, riding again is a fantastic indication. It’s quite amazing that she did it at 96.
On horseback, the Queen used to frequently participate in Trooping the Colour, but in more recent years, her family members have filled the position.
She has been a dedicated racehorse owner and breeder for her entire adult life, ever since she was given a pony when she was three in 1929.