Queen Elizabeth II Smiles Brightly As She Returns To Work For First Time Since Prince Philip’s Death

Queen Elizabeth II met with two new ambassadors to the United Kingdom for her first day back to royal duties following two weeks of mourning her beloved husband of 73 years, Prince Philip.

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April 27, 2021 12:40PM EDT
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Mandatory Credit: Reginald Davis Mandatory Credit: Photo by Reginald Davis/REX/Shutterstock (918888ck) In the Mantle and Robes of the Order of St. Michael and St.George, Queen Elizabeth II leaves St. Paul's Cathedral after the service Queen Elizabeth II retrospective
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attends an Armed Forces Act of Loyalty Parade in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, UK, 28 June 2022. The armed forces, represented by the Service Cadets, Band of the Royal Marines Scotland and the Pipes and Drums of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, conducted a parade and presented The Queen with the key for Edinburgh Castle. The event was an opportunity for the armed forces to mark Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee in Scotland. Armed Forces Act of Loyalty Parade, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK - 28 Jun 2022 Her Majesty The Queen will attend an Armed Forces Act of Loyalty Parade in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The event will be an opportunity for the Armed Forces to mark Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee in Scotland, and pay tribute to The Queen's role as Head of the UK Armed Forces. Her Majesty's Armed Forces will conduct a Parade and Presentation of the Key for Edinburgh Castle in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse. All three services will be represented on parade, with each of the single service Senior Representatives in Scotland present, together with Service Cadets. Musical support will be provided by the Band of the Royal Marines Scotland and the Pipes and Drums of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Queen Elizabeth II Trooping The Colour - The Queen's Birthday Parade, London, UK - 02 Jun 2022 The Queen, attends celebration marking her official birthday, during which she inspects troops from the Household Division as they march in Whitehall, before watching a fly-past from the balcony at Buckingham Palace. This year's event also marks The Queen's Platinum Jubilee and kicks off an extended bank holiday to celebrate the milestone.
Image Credit: Shutterstock

Queen Elizabeth II looked so pleased to return to her work after her two-week mourning period, following the death of her husband, Prince Philip, on April 9. The British monarch, 95, was captured in a photograph that was tweeted out by the Royal Family on Tuesday, April 27. In the photo, which featured the queen meeting with two new ambassadors to the United Kingdom via video, Queen Elizabeth smiled and wore a beautiful, floral ensemble in hues of blue. You can see the photo below.

“Today The Queen held Audiences with incoming Ambassadors via video link from Windsor Castle to Buckingham Palace,” the caption to the photos began. The queen met with Her Excellency Mrs. Ivita Burmistre, Ambassador from the Republic of Latvia and Her Excellency Mrs. Sara Affoue Amani, Ambassador from the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. The audience with the two ambassadors marked the queen’s first engagement since Prince Philip’s funeral on April 17.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip photographed together as the sovereign opens the New Scotland Yard in London on July 13, 2017 [Pete Summers/Shutterstock].
Nearly the entire Royal family gathered for Prince Philip’s funeral, which was held at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. The somber moment for the family also provided an opportunity for Prince Harry to reunite with his older brother Prince William. The brothers’ relationship has been strained for months, and the Duke of Sussex, 36, openly discussed his bond with his older brother, 38, during his and wife Meghan Markle‘s joint interview with Oprah Winfrey in March.

Queen Elizabeth II opens the new Haig Housing Trust development in Morden, London, October 11, 2019 [Shutterstock].
It wasn’t until after the funeral, on the occasion of her 95th birthday on April 21, that the queen shared her appreciation to those offering their condolences after her husband of 73 years passed away at the age of 99. “I have, on the occasion of my 95th birthday today, received many messages of good wishes, which I very much appreciate,” she began her statement. “While as a family we are in a period of great sadness, it has been a comfort to us all to see and to hear the tributes paid to my husband, from those within the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and around the world.”

Queen Elizabeth went on to extend her gratitude “for the support and kindness shown to us in recent days. We have been deeply touched, and continue to be reminded that Philip had such an extraordinary impact on countless people throughout his life.”