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Queen gets back in the saddle at Windsor Castle in first public appearance since lockdown

PA
PA

The Queen enjoyed a notably regal form of daily exercise as she made her first public appearance since the coronavirus lockdown began.

The monarch was photographed trotting along the manicured lawns of Windsor over the weekend on one of her favourite horses – a 14-year-old Fell Pony called Balmoral Fern.

The 94-year-old regularly rides on the grounds of the castle, and has been a breeder of thoroughbred racehorses throughout her reign.

Sporting a colourful headscarf, smart tweed jacket, jodhpurs, white gloves and boots, the head of state enjoyed the warm summer weather as she rode alongside her daughter Princess Anne.

The Queen and her daughter Anne, the Princess Royal, ride happily side-by-side (PA)
The Queen and her daughter Anne, the Princess Royal, ride happily side-by-side (PA)

The last time the Queen was pictured in public was when she was being driven to the estate from Buckingham Palace on March 19.

One of the Queen’s corgis – she has two named Candy and Vulcan – sat obediently next to her as they peered solemnly out of the car window.

The Queen carried out official duties the day before her planned departure, but was forced to hold her weekly audience with Boris Johnson via phone call rather than in person.

Since then, she has made two televised addresses to the nation: the first a speech to reassure the country that the UK will overcome the pandemic, and the second to mark VE Day.

She remains at Windsor Castle with her husband the Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle and a small group of household staff who have been isolating with the elderly royal couple.

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