After suffering health problems that have caused her to miss several events, Queen Elizabeth II, who is nearly 96 years old, made her first public appearance in nearly six months, at a mass in London, honoring her late husband, Prince Philip.

The guest list for the ceremony included Kings Felipe and Letizia of Spain and Guillermo Alejandro and Máxima of the Netherlands, among a dozen royal houses and former monarchies from Europe and the Middle East.

The queen’s health has been abysmal since doctors forced her to rest in October and she spent the night in hospital undergoing “tests” whose nature was never determined. In recent months, she has stopped participating in relevant events, appearing to walk with a cane and admitting that it is difficult for her to “move on”.

With all eyes on his country, the sultan, who celebrated 70 years on the throne in February and will blow out all 96 candles on April 21, will reappear two weeks ago, for Commonwealth Day. But three days earlier, he had canceled his participation, according to the press due to his difficulty getting around and his refusal to do so in a wheelchair.

However, this Tuesday (29/03/2022) mass has a very personal character, out of respect for the man she has been married to for 73 years and whom she calls “the pillar”.

Felipe died on April 9, at nearly one hundred years old, and amid a pandemic, only 30 guests were able to attend the limited funeral leaving a shocking image of a queen sitting alone. Given his “mischievous” appearance and “familiar smile”, the king admitted in his Christmas message how much he “missed” his husband.

With all restrictions lifted, the ceremony “will incorporate some of the elements that were planned for the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral, which could not be done,” the Palace said. It will include a choir and a military presence at an abbey decorated with red, white and blue flowers. (afp)