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Britain’s Queen Elizabeth makes surprise public appearance after health issues

  • The 96-year-old monarch has rarely attended events outside her royal residences recently and missed the ceremonial opening of parliament on May 10
  • She made a surprise appearance on Tuesday at Paddington Station in London to see a new railway line named in her honour

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Britain’s Queen Elizabeth looks on during an event to mark the completion of the Elizabeth Line at Paddington Station in London on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Agence France-Pressein London
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth on Tuesday made a surprise appearance at a new railway line named in her honour, after health issues prevented her attending recent events.

The 96-year-old monarch smiled as she visited Paddington Station in London to see the new Elizabeth line, a major new railway that is set to speed up transport links within the city and beyond.

Dressed in a yellow wool coat and hat trimmed with flowers, she took a lift down to the platform, holding a walking stick, joining her son, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, who had been announced as attending the event without her.

Britain’s Prince Edward, left, and Queen Elizabeth meet staff at Paddington Station in London on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
Britain’s Prince Edward, left, and Queen Elizabeth meet staff at Paddington Station in London on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

She was welcomed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

The monarch has rarely attended events outside her royal residences recently and she missed the ceremonial opening of parliament on May 10 for only the third time, due to ongoing mobility issues.

This has caused concern over whether she will be able to attend the main events next month for her Platinum Jubilee, marking her 70 years on the throne.

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