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In order to give the 95-year-old monarch every chance of attending, the service at Westminster Abbey has been limited to 40 minutes instead of an hour. Her Majesty was brought in by a side entrance beside Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey and walked to her place.
She sat in one of the two Canada Chairs always used by the sovereign or the most senior member of the Royal Family at services at Westminster Abbey.
They have comfortable cushions to ease any discomfort she might experience.
The monarch was spotted on the drive from Windsor Castle to the Abbey accompanied by the Duke of York earlier this morning.
As she walked into the service, she clutched the arm of her son.
Notably during her attendance, the monarch used her walking stick, something which has accompanied her on in-person engagements as of late.
She joined the rest of the congregation by standing to sing one of the hymns, despite prior reports she may not do so.
At the end of the service, members of the Royal Family and all other attendees sang the national anthem together.
Following this, the Queen was escorted to meet with speakers in Poet’s Corner, the route taken by Her Majesty into the Abbey.
The monarch greeted Doyin Sonibare, a holder of a gold award from the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, who spoke during the service.
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The pair could be seen exchanging a few words, and the sovereign was spotted beaming as they spoke while wearing red lipstick.
Her appearance at this service is particularly poignant as the 95-year-old monarch has not been attending royal duties outside of her home since late October.
Earlier this month, the Queen pulled out of the Commonwealth Day service due to comfort issues.
Also in late February, the palace announced the monarch had tested positive for COVID-19.
They revealed that the monarch was experiencing mild “cold-like symptoms” and would continue to carry out light desk-based duties including going through papers in her daily red box.
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A week after her diagnosis was announced, she also resumed virtual audiences with incoming foreign ambassadors.
She has also held some face-to-face meetings at Windsor Castle.
On March 15, the Queen was pictured hosting Canada’s Governor General Mary Simon for afternoon tea in the Oak Room.
Photographs show the monarch standing without using her walking stick.
The monarch was first pictured using a walking aid at a service marking the centenary of the Royal British Legion in October.
It came following the advice from her doctors to rest, according to the palace.
This advice saw her pull out of appearing at COP26 in November and instead delivered a speech to all those in attendance via video link.
The Queen also had to withdraw her attendance at the Cenotaph service on Remembrance Sunday due to a back sprain.
Last year, the Royal Family shared an emotional tribute from the Queen to her “strength and stay” Philip – comments she made about her husband in a speech on their golden wedding anniversary in 1997.
The Queen said: “He (Philip) has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.
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