Queen Elizabeth II, 95, has carried out her first official engagement after missing the Remembrance Sunday service as she met the head of the military in a face-to-face audience.
She welcomed Gen Sir Nick Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, to Windsor Castle on Wednesday, as he prepares to step down from his role at the end of the month.
The queen, who pulled out of the Cenotaph service three days ago due to a sprained back, was pictured standing as she greeted Gen Sir Nick in the castle’s Oak Room.
Dressed in a green, orange and white floral dress and wearing a string of pearls, the monarch smiled and shook hands with Gen Sir Nick as they began chatting.
The Oak Room is the queen’s sitting room where she spends much of her time. It also doubles as her office.
It is the first time in nearly a month that the monarch has been pictured carrying out an in-person engagement since she hosted a reception at Windsor on October 19.
She held a face to face audience with Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week but was not pictured doing so.
The Queen at 95 — in pictures
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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
