Queen Elizabeth is Joined by Prince William for her First Public Outing in Seven Months
The Queen carried out her first public visit since March today, a rare joint appearance with Prince William. The British monarch visited the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory to meet scientists providing support to the country’s COVID-19 response and to officially open its new Energetics Analysis Centre. It was the 94-year-old Queen’s first official engagement outside palace walls since the coronavirus pandemic took hold in the UK seven months ago, although she has continued working during this time and remained visible via photographs, video calls, and messages.
The royal duo arrived at the laboratory near Salisbury, in southern England, in the late morning and were greeted by the Chief Executive, Mr Gary Aitkenhead. They took a private tour of the Energetics Enclosure to see displays of weaponry and tactics used in counter intelligence. The royals then viewed a demonstration of a Forensic Explosives Investigation and met counter-terrorism staff. They also spoke to employees involved in identifying the Novichok nerve agent that poisoned former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in March 2018, as well as members of the military deployed to help with the investigation. Before departing, the Queen formally opened the new Energetics Analysis Centre and unveiled a plaque.
The Queen wore one of her signature bright outfits for today's engagement, choosing a pink coat by Stewart Parvin and matching hat by Rachel Trevor-Morgan. She did not wear a mask, however social distancing was observed.
When the COVID-19 outbreak hit the UK in March, the Queen moved from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle where she and Prince Philip isolated with a select “bubble” of staff. There, she carried out a rare investiture to knight 100-year-old Captain Tom Moore in June after he raised millions for NHS charities, and she also took part in a scaled-down version of her official birthday parade. The monarch and her husband were able to travel to Balmoral in August and moved to Sandringham together in September. At the start of this month, the Queen returned to Windsor Castle alone where she is currently living.
A Palace spokesman said that her intention was to “resume the use of Buckingham Palace for selected Audiences and engagements.” She has continued to work behind the scenes while younger family members have been out and about. The visit today underlines the fact that she intends to resume her public duties whenever possible throughout the pandemic.
Prior to COVID-19, the monarch occasionally conducted joint engagements with members of her family. Her last one with Prince William was in June 2017 to meet victims of the Grenfell Tower fire and members of the emergency services who fought the blaze.
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