Queen carries out first in-person engagement for first time in almost five months
31 March 2021, 16:17 | Updated: 31 March 2021, 16:21
Queen attends first public event in 20 weeks
The Queen has conducted her first official event outside Windsor Castle in almost five months, as the Duke of Edinburgh continues to recover at home.
In her first public engagement since 8 November, the head of state visited the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Air Forces Memorial in Runnymede, Surrey.
A wreath was laid on her behalf and the Queen was shown panels bearing the names of Australian war dead, before meeting serving RAAF personnel.
More than 350,000 men and women have served in the RAAF since its formation in 1921, fighting in conflicts ranging from the Second World War to others in Korea, Vietnam and Afghanistan and Iraq, with more than 11,100 losing their lives in service.
Read more: Harry and Meghan did not marry three days before wedding, Archbishop of Canterbury reveals
Read more: Police commander 'learned of Kate Middleton memorial visit on the news', review finds
Since the pandemic began the Queen has carried out a handful of official events beyond the walls of Windsor Castle - nicknamed "HMS Bubble".
She was last seen outside her Berkshire home in November when she wore a face mask in public for the first time during a poignant visit to the grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey to mark the centenary of his burial.
A few weeks earlier she was joined by her grandson the Duke of Cambridge when she visited the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down in Wiltshire and formally opened the Energetics Analysis Centre.
Read more: Kate launches ‘poignant and personal’ book capturing life in lockdown
Read more: Prince Harry lands new job as Commissioner in 'fight against misinformation' in media
Despite staying at Windsor Castle and the long hospital stay of her husband Prince Philip, the Queen has continued to carry out her duties as head of state throughout the pandemic.
Royal engagements have gone virtual, with a number of memorable video calls, including one where she encouraged those who were hesitant to have the vaccine to "think about other people rather than themselves".
A number of high-profile events have been staged in the grounds of Windsor Castle including a ceremony last summer where the Queen knighted veteran NHS fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore.
