Queen Elizabeth II cheered at first major event of her Jubilee

Queen Elizabeth II was cheered Sunday night when she appeared at a horse show in Windsor, the first major event of her platinum jubilee celebrating 70 years on the throne.

 

A horse lover, the 96-year-old queen appeared smiling, walking with a cane on a red carpet, to attend the show A Gallop Trough History, gathering 500 horses and 1.300 artists.

 

Since her health problems in the fall, which resulted in an overnight stay in hospital following tests that were never specified, the Queen's public appearances have come under scrutiny. The last few months have been marked by a chronicle of cancellations and her presence at major public events. She was also infected with the coronavirus in February.

 

The show's commentator, Omid Djalili, joked about thanking the Queen for choosing the event over the opening of Parliament last Tuesday.

 

She was replaced for the first time by Crown Prince Charles, 73, bringing a new sign of the transition in progress for the British monarchy under the effect of his health problems.

 

Due to mobility difficulties and on the advice of her doctors, Elizabeth II did not deliver the traditional throne speech marking a new parliamentary session, for only the third time in 70 years of reign.

 

His absence had reopened questions about his participation in early June at the celebrations of the Platinum Jubilee.

 

Sunday night's show was part of the Windsor Horse Show, a prestigious equestrian competition where the Queen had already visited on Friday.

 

Several of his horses competed, including Balmoral Leia, a five-year-old gray mare, who won and went on to be crowned Supreme Champion.