Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II has returned to work – albeit online only so far – after a hospital stay and doctor's orders to rest.
The queen, working from home at Windsor Castle, greeted two new ambassadors to London who were at Buckingham Palace for an event.
She traditionally holds a meeting with Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer before the budget speech, which takes place on Wednesday, but there was no confirmation on Tuesday that a call to Rishi Sunak had taken place.
It was also confirmed on Tuesday that she would not be attending the Cop26 environmental summit in Glasgow next week.
In photos released on the royal family’s social media accounts, she was seen smiling during the ambassadorial audiences.
It was the first time the queen has been seen since a reception for the global investment summit on October 19 at Windsor. The following day she was admitted to hospital for tests and stayed overnight.
The queen, 95, was pictured side-on, smiling as she sat in a chair with her hands in her lap, in front of a large monitor.
She was wearing a yellow dress with button detail and her three-strand pearl necklace.
On the table were her folded glasses and several pages of typed briefing notes.
In another picture taken at Buckingham Palace, she was seen on screen as she greeted the ambassador from South Korea, Gunn Kim, who was dressed in Korean clothing, including a traditional hat known as a gat.
He was accompanied by his wife, Hee Jung Lee.
The queen also held an online audience with the ambassador from Switzerland, Markus Leitner, who was accompanied by his wife Nicole Leitner.
Both ambassadors travelled to Buckingham Palace to join the video call and presented their credentials – their predecessors' Letters of Recall and their own Letters of Credence – on an antique wooden table in front of the screen.
The monarch is being looked after by her team of doctors.
She had been due to attend events in Scotland next week as part of a flurry of royal Cop26 engagements involving the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge from November 1 to 5.
Buckingham Palace announed she would not be going to Cop26 on Tuesday.
The queen at 95
-
Queen Elizabeth II meeting attendees during a reception for delegates of the Global Investment Conference at Windsor Castle in October 2021. PA -
Queen Elizabeth during her annual Commonwealth Day Message in St George's Hall at Windsor in March 2021. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth speaks with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry during a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace in July 2018. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth II tours Queen Mother Square in October 2016 in Poundbury, Dorset. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth watches the Trooping the Colour to mark her 90th Birthday in 2016 with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince William, Prince Harry, and Prince Philip. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wave to guests attending "The Patron's Lunch" celebrations for The Queen's 90th birthday on The Mall in June 2016. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth is pictured next to a floral exhibit at Chelsea Flower Show in 2016. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth makes a speech during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth stands with US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama during their visit to the UK in 2011. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth is escorted by her grandson Prince William during a visit to RAF Valley where Prince William was stationed in 2011. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth looks on as she opens the refurbished East Wing of Somerset House in 2011. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth sits in the Regency Room at Buckingham Palace as she looks at some of the cards which have been sent to her for her 80th birthday in 2006. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth meets the Spice Girls at The Victoria Palace Theatre in 1997. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip review tributes to the late Princess Diana outside Buckingham Palace in 1997. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth celebrates the Queen Mother's 90th birthday with Prince Edward, Princess Diana, Prince Charles And Princess Margaret outside Clarence House in 1990. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth sits with Princess Diana after Prince William's christening ceremony in 1982. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth sits with US President Ronald Reagan at a gala dinner at Windsor Castle in 1982. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth greets the crowds outside St Paul's Cathedral during her Silver Jubilee in 1977. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visit a farm on the Balmoral estate in Scotland, during their Silver Wedding anniversary year, in 1972. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles travel in an open top car in Avignon during a state visit to France, in 1972. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth smiles during a picture-taking session in the salon at Sandringham House in 1970. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth during a visit to New Zealand in 1970. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth is surrounded by school children at a children's playground in Sydney during a Commonwealth visit to Australia in 1963. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother with a young Prince Charles at Princess Margaret's wedding at Westminster Abbey in 1960. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth while watching Prince Philip play cricket in Hampshire in 1958. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth during her coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey in June 1953. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wearing formal dress as they attend a concert at Festival Hall in 1951. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth at Epsom Downs Racecourse with King George VI, the Queen Mother and Bernard Fitzalan-Howard, 16th Duke of Norfolk, in 1948. Getty Images -
Members of the British royal family on the balcony at Buckingham Palace after the wedding of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in November 1947. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth as 'Prince Florziel' posing with another actress in the Christmas production of 'Cinderella' at Windsor Castle in 1941. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth makes her first broadcast, accompanied by her younger sister Princess Margaret, in 1940. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret standing together on the train platform as they see off their parents, King George VI and the Queen Mother, at Waterloo Station in 1939. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth seated between her grandfather King George V and grandmother Queen Mary of Teck as they ride in a carriage back to Balmoral Castle in 1935. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth watches members of a pipe band play in the grounds of Glamis Castle in 1929. Getty Images
