Royals

The Queen heads home to Windsor as she gears up for her first public appearance in weeks

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The Queen has returned to Windsor Castle from her Sandringham Estate ahead of a planned appearance on November 14.

Her Majesty retreated to the English countryside last week following a health scare that saw her hospitalised for one night and forced her to cancel several key appearances.

The Queen is set to return to public duties this weekend.

(Getty)

Multiple outlets have reported that the 95-year-old monarch was flown back to Windsor by helicopter on Tuesday, with hopes high that she will return to public duties on Sunday.

It’s understood that she travelled to Sandringham to rest after her doctors advised her to cut back on official royal appearances last month.

“Following on from their recent advice that the Queen should rest for a few days, Her Majesty’s doctors have advised that she should continue to rest for at least the next two weeks,” the palace announced in late October.

The Queen has continued to perform “light duties” during her time off from public engagements, as well as taking time to rest.

She was spotted driving around her vast Sandringham property over the weekend, but was reportedly not able to ride her horses, one of her favourite pastimes.

The 95-year-old monarch has now headed back to her Windsor residence near London ahead of a planned engagement this weekend.

Sunday marks the annual Remembrance Sunday service in London, which the Queen and other senior royals traditionally attend to pay their respects.

It has been widely reported that the Queen still plans to attend the event despite her recent health scare.

When Buckingham Palace first announced that the monarch would be taking a break from royal duties, they noted that she intended to be front and centre on the solemn day.

“Her Majesty regrets that this means she will be unable to attend the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday, 13th November,” the palace announced.

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“However, it remains the Queen’s firm intention to be present for the National Service of Remembrance on Remembrance Sunday, on 14th November.”

If she does attend as planned, it will be the first time she’s been seen in public, in person since mid-October.

The monarch made a small appearance at the Cop26 climate change summit at the start of the month, but only via a recorded video message.

She had originally planned to attend the climate change event in person, but was forced to back out of the summit due to her health.

Her Majesty attends a Remembrance Day service with Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

(Getty)

That cancelled appearance came hot on the heels of a number of other cancelled engagements, including a trip to Northern Ireland.

Other senior royals including Prince Charles and Prince William attended the summit without the monarch, working hard to fill her shoes while she stayed at home on doctors’ orders.

These same key royals are expected to rally around the Queen on Sunday when she steps out for the annual Remembrance Sunday service.

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