Royal fans have shared their delight at footage of the Queen walking to her seat and smiling in delight at the first of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations last night.
Her Majesty, 96, delighted crowds at Windsor Castle last night as she watched an all-star line-up including Dame Helen Mirren, Tom Cruise and Katherine Jenkins perform at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Photos show the royal walking to her seat and beaming in delight at the show, entitled A Gallop Through History.
The Queen smiled throughout the show and appeared relaxed, at one point applying lipstick and at another chatting to other spectators.
The footage left fans delighted, with one writing: ‘It made my heart swell and eyes water to see her enjoying herself. We need to treasure these moments now’.
fRoyal fans have shared their delight at footage of the Queen walking to her seat and smiling in delight at the first of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations last night
Her Majesty, 96, delighted crowds at Windsor Castle last night as she watched an all-star line-up including Dame Helen Mirren, Tom Cruise and Katherine Jenkins perform at the Royal Windsor Horse Show
The Queen reached the event by car with an escort from the Household Cavalry as the national anthem was played.
She handed her now familiar walking stick to a member of the greeting party as she carefully eased herself down from her Range Rover – in which she was accompanied by her youngest son, Prince Edward, 58.
The monarch clearly dressed for the occasion in an ice-blue sequinned dress, around which she had draped a grey embellished wrap against the chill.
She then carefully made her way to her seat in the Royal Box – flanked by Simon Brooks-Ward, 58, a Territorial Army officer and friend of the royals – away from the glare of the cameras.
Photos show the royal walking to her seat and beaming in delight at the show, entitled A Gallop Through History. She is pictured in the crowd
The monarch clearly dressed for the occasion in an ice-blue sequinned dress, around which she had draped a grey embellished wrap against the chill
Although footage from the Royal Box was limited during the performance, the Queen was seen laughing and smiling with other guests, which reassured the public given widespread concern about her health.
Fans were quick to comment on the royal’s appearance saying she looked ‘fabulous’ and it was ‘great to see her smiling’.
‘Lovely to see her enjoying herself,’ said one.
‘Brilliant watching it and fantastic to see her smiling and laughing. Her face just lit up when the horses came on,’ added another.
‘So good to see the Queen looking relaxed and enjoying her celebrations,’ commented a third.
‘Beautiful evening and Her Majesty looked radiant and was enjoying herself, she so much deserves this great lady we are so blessed to have her,’ said another.
Fans were quick to comment on the royal’s appearance saying she looked ‘fabulous’ and it was ‘great to see her smiling’.
The pictures will diminish health fears surrounding Her Majesty that have circulated in recent weeks.
The Queen has been forced to cancel a string of engagements in recent months and last week missed the State Opening of Parliament, symbolically asking her son, Prince Charles, and grandson, Prince William, to stand in.
But royal aides insist that despite what they describe as ‘episodic’ mobility issues, the monarch is in good spirits and very much in charge behind the scenes.
Her appearance last night, following her first visit to the horse show on Friday to watch some of her beloved animals compete, will give succour to her subjects.
The pictures will diminish health fears surrounding Her Majesty that have circulated in recent weeks
Her appearance last night, following her first visit to the horse show on Friday to watch some of her beloved animals compete, will give succour to her subjects
Fans are delighted at the sight of the Queen, with her appearance boding well for jubilee events later in the year
It also bodes well for the official weekend of jubilee events in June, when it is anticipated she will attend a Service of Thanksgiving for her remarkable 70-year reign and make her traditional appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony at Trooping the Colour.
It is unlikely she will attend many other events, however, as palace aides admit she has ‘good and less good days’.
Last night’s gala show, which featured more than 1,300 performers, 600 horses, children’s choirs, a 75-piece orchestra and stars from stage and screen, was always going to be something the Queen would have been keen not to miss.
Different eras of British history were enacted on stage as part of the show. Dame Helen Mirren, who has played both Queen Elizabeths on TV and film, reprised her role as the Tudor monarch.
Adjoa Andoh, who plays Lady Danbury in the Netflix period drama Bridgerton, also had a role, as did Homeland actor Damian Lewis and Doc Martin star Martin Clunes. Dame Joan Collins appeared on film to pay tribute.
But the star of the show – aside from the Queen herself – was undoubtedly Hollywood star Tom Cruise. Earlier Cruise had walked among the crowds at Windsor and said he was looking forward to the extravaganza.
In an interview with ITV, Cruise said he didn’t hesitate for a second when asked to take part in the event. ‘It is a wonderful event and I feel very privileged to be here. I was very honoured,’ he said.
‘She is just a woman I greatly admire. She is someone who has tremendous dignity. I admire her devotion and what she has accomplished is historic.’