Back with a bang: 41-gun salute as Queen Elizabeth II returns to Windsor to resume royal duties

A 41-gun salute ran out at Green Park London, on February 7, to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, as the 95-year-old monarch returned to Windsor Castle from Sandringham Estate.

Sources from Buckingham Palace say Her Majesty will make a limited return to work after being advised late last year to rest by her doctors. 

Despite her advancing years and loss of her husband, Prince Philip, last year, Her Royal Highness will continue to attend high profile engagements and will resume her routine of audiences and meetings, both in-person and virtually.

It is also understood that the Queen will be attending a diplomatic reception at Windsor Castle on March 2 and the Commonwealth Day service on March 14.

The Queen will also be front and centre for her Platinum Jubilee celebration in June. Starting with Trooping the Colour on June 2, which is expected to be staged in full for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic.

She will also attend a Thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday, June 3, and will be joined by members of the royal family the next day at the Derby at Epson Downs. 

A concert is expected to take place at Buckingham Palace later that day and on Sunday the Big Jubilee Lunch will be held actress the UK. 

The Queen has spent the last few weeks at her Norfolk estate, where she commemorated the death of her father King George VI, last Sunday, February 6. 

The day also marks her official accession to the British throne and the start of her Platinum Jubilee year. 

During her stay at Sandringham, the Queen hosted her pre-Jubilee reception and renewed her pledge to the nation and Commonwealth, saying her “life will always be devoted to your service.” 

 

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The Queen has also confirmed that it was her “sincere wish” that the Duchess of Cornwall be fully acknowledged as Queen Consort when her son, Prince Charles, becomes king. 

Borth Charles and Camilla were “touched and honoured” by the gesture, an official statement by the couple, posted to their official Instagram account, Clarence House.The Prince of Wales expressed that he was “deeply conscious of the of the honour” given to his “darling wife” as he congratulated his mother on her reign.