Queen, 95, drives herself to favourite event of the year ahead of meeting Angela Merkel
The Queen has proved her age is no barrier to carrying on with her hobbies as she drove herself to one of her favourite events of the year.
The 95-year-old monarch was spotted behind the wheel of a Range Rover on the way to the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Friday, having rushed back from Scotland on Thursday to make day one.
The annual event is one of the Queen's favourites, and she is regularly seen there in a more casual outfit, grinning broadly.
Her granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor has competed there in the past, in the carriage driving events, a sport she became passionate about thanks to the Duke of Edinburgh.
On Thursday Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, Lady Louise's mother was spotted at the show.
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The Queen's appearances there come after a four-day tour of Scotland for Royal Week.
She took on engagements across the country with her grandson Prince William and her daughter Princess Anne.
Her son and daughter-in-law Prince Edward and Sophie were also in the country during the same week but carried out separate engagements.
Royal Week is a traditional part of the Queen's calendar but she was unable to make the trip last year because of coronavirus restrictions.
After arriving back in Windsor on Thursday she went straight to day one of the show, accompanied by Countess Mountbatten of Burma.
The countess was the only non-family member present at the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral in April, which was limited to 30 mourners.
She was a close friend of the late Prince Philip, and they were often seen together at the Windsor show.
The Queen looked in good spirits on both Thursday and Friday despite a packed diary.
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She has been limited because of COVID-19 restrictions but has relished getting out and about again instead of being forced to appear at online events.
However, she will not be able to stay at the show all day on Friday as she has an appointment to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the afternoon.
Merkel is carrying out some final visits and meetings before stepping down from her role.
The two women have met several times over the years, and were both at the G7 summit in Cornwall in June.
Her Majesty has kept driving whenever possible, though she does not drive herself to her engagements.
In 2003 she drove Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia around Balmoral during his state visit to the UK. At the time, women did not have the right to drive in Saudi Arabia.
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British diplomat Sir Sherard Cowper Coles recalled in his memoir: "After lunch, the Queen had asked her royal guest whether he would like a tour of the estate.
"Prompted by his Foreign Minister, the urbane Prince Saud, an initially hesitant Abdullah agreed.
"The royal Land Rovers were drawn up in front of the castle. As instructed, the Crown Prince climbed into the front seat of the front Land Rover, with his interpreter in the seat behind.
"To his surprise, the Queen climbed into the driving seat, turned the ignition and drove off.
"Abdullah was not used to being driven by a woman, let alone a queen.
"His nervousness only increased as the Queen, an Army driver in wartime, accelerated the Land Rover along the narrow Scottish estate roads, talking all the time.
"Through his interpreter, the Crown Prince implored the Queen to slow down and concentrate on the road ahead."
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