Queen Elizabeth II has made her first official engagement at Windsor Castle on the outskirts of London since the death last Friday of her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, according to records in the royal house.
The 94-year-old sovereign presided over a ceremony in Windsor with Earl William Peel, who has just retired as Lord Chamberlain, the highest-ranking official in the royal house and the firm organizes state visits, royal weddings and it is the main channel of communication between the Queen and the House of Lords.
In this ceremony, Elizabeth II received from Peel the staff and insignia of Lord Chamberlain, who will now pass to the new head of this function, Andrew Parker, former director of the British secret services (internal) MI5.
Earl Peel had announced his retirement last year, while Parker had begun working as Lord Chamberlain a week before Prince Philip’s death.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who had been hospitalized for several weeks last March, died in Windsor at the age of 99.
The ceremony presided over by the queen took place yesterday Tuesday and has been recorded today in the so-called circular of the court, which specifies the events presided over by the head of state.
The royal family is mourning for two weeks and is preparing for the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh, which will take place this Saturday – the 17th – in St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.