Queen leads royals in Prince Philip tribute

LONDON - Ailing Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday made her first major public appearance in months, at a thanksgiving service for her husband, Prince Philip, who died last year aged 99.

The monarch, who turns 96 next month, appeared emotional at times during the service at Westminster Abbey.

The queen, currently in her record-breaking 70th year on the throne, has not attended a high-profile event outside her homes since she spent a night in hospital last October.

Ill health, including a bout of COVID, and difficulties walking and standing forced her to pull out of a Commonwealth Day service at the last minute on March 14.

Buckingham Palace only confirmed her attendance at Philip's memorial service around two hours before it was due to start at Westminster Abbey.

Unlike other family members and guests, she arrived by a side entrance, taking up her cushioned seat in the front row, alongside her eldest son and heir Prince Charles, 73.

The large congregation of 1,800 was a stark contrast to the stripped-back funeral service for the Duke of Edinburgh last April, where just 30 mourners were allowed due to coronavirus restrictions.

The sight of the queen alone at that service has become an enduring image of the pandemic.

Tuesday's event included elements of Philip's original funeral plans that had to be hastily revised.

Much of the focus was on the straight-talking former naval officer's charity work, particularly his Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme for young people around the world.

The couple were married for 73 years.

After the October scare, doctors ordered the queen to rest and she cancelled a string of high-profile engagements, including hosting world leaders at the UN climate change summit in November.

She has held private audiences from her Windsor Castle home, mostly by videoconference.

AFP