Queen Elizabeth II appeared Friday at the prestigious equestrian competition in Windsor, England, enough to allay worries about her health just days after missing the opening of a new parliamentary session.

Passionate about horses, the 96-year-old ruler was photographed smiling and relaxed as he arrived at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, near Windsor Castle, where he now lives. Several of his horses participated in the event.

Wearing tinted glasses and a navy cardigan, he sat in the front passenger seat of a Range Rover, the BBC reported. He was seen exchanging words and joking with a small group of people from the lowered car window.

Queen Elizabeth II performs at equestrian competition https://t.co/rg8Nd3P4da

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Due to mobility issues and on the advice of her doctors, Elizabeth II has given up on Tuesday to deliver the traditional address from the throne marking a new parliamentary session, for the third time in 70 years of rule.

70 years of reign in June, a record

He was succeeded for the first time by Crown Prince Charles, 73, bringing a new sign of Britain’s ongoing transition to the monarchy under the influence of ill health.

The Queen’s appearance became rare. Seen with a cane in recent months, Elizabeth II had spent the night in hospital last October for reasons never revealed. He had also been infected with the coronavirus in February.

Her last public appearance was on March 29 at a memorial service to her late husband, Prince Philip, who died aged 99 in 2021.

His speech away from the throne has raised questions about early June’s participation in the platinum jubilee celebrations marking 70 years of his reign, unrivaled for a British monarch.