Queen returns to public duties for the first time since Prince Philip's funeral
Her Majesty has been holding virtual audiences at Windsor Castle
Last updated 24th May 2022
Her Majesty The Queen has returned to public duties for the first time since the funeral of her beloved husband the Duke of Edinburgh.
The monarch, 95, has been photographed carrying out virtual audiences at Windsor Castle via video-link on Tuesday.
Whilst she did carry out some public duties after the death of Prince Philip, this is the first time since the death that she has been photographed carrying out her work.
The Queen, no longer in a black mourning outfit, 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.
She was pictured on a computer screen smiling as she held two audiences with the ambassador from the Republic of Latvia, and the ambassador from the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, who were at Buckingham Palace.
Two weeks of royal mourning
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.
Queen thanks well-wishers
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.
The marriage of Queen Elizabeth & Prince Philip
The Royal Wedding
The newly married Princess Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day. They married on 20 November 1947 at Westminster Abbey, having announced their engagement in July 1946.
The Coronation
Waving from Buckingham Palace, this time as the newly coronated Queen and Consort of the Monarch. The Queen's coronation took place on 2 June 1953, following the death of her father, King George VI the previous year.
Silver Wedding Anniversary
Their Royal Highnesses celebrating their Silver Wedding Anniversary at Balmoral in Scotland in 1972.
The new millenium
Prince Philip kisses the Queen as they celebrate entering a new millennium. In the year 2000, they celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary.
Duke of Edinburgh receives honour from Queen
In 2013, the Queen presented her husband, Prince Philip, with the Order of New Zealand, the country's highest honour. This was awarded alongside the Queen's birthday honours list in 2012, on the advice of the New Zealand Government.
Sharing a smile
The couple have been frequently caught sharing a smile or a laugh when carrying out visits and Royal duties. Their daughter-in-law, the Countess of Wessex once noted that the success of the pair's relationship was founded in laughter and support. She said: "they make each other laugh, which is half the battle, isn't it?"
Prince Philip's funeral
After 73 years of marriage, Prince Philip passed away aged 99. The Queen had to sit on her own for the funeral due to social distancing rules in place at the time. The Queen described the death of the Duke of Edinburgh as leaving "a huge void" in her life.