The Queen attends the second day of the Royal Windsor Horse Show 2022 at Windsor Castle on May 13, 2022. James Whatling/MEGA
Just smile, and wave. Queen Elizabeth II made a rare appearance at a public event amid health issues that have kept her from her royal duties — and one comedian carefully cracked a bold joke at her expense.
“Your Royal Highness, on behalf of everyone here we would like to thank you, very humbly, for picking us over the State Opening of Parliament,” comedian Omid Djalili quipped at the Windsor Horse Show’s “Galloping Through History” event on Sunday, May 15, which marked the queen’s first event in several weeks. “You did the right thing, and I won £5 in a bet with my local kebab shop owner in Ipswich.”
On Tuesday, May 10, the monarch, 96, opted to skip the State Opening of Parliament due to ongoing “episodic mobility problems,” Buckingham Palace announced in a statement the day prior. Her absence was the third time she had missed the event in her 70-year tenure on the throne. Her oldest son, Prince Charles, instead recited “the queen’s speech on Her Majesty’s behalf,” per the palace.
While some audience members at the Windsor Horse Show were shocked at Djalili’s slight dig, the queen herself instead offered a smile in response and waved at the crowd.
Elizabeth seemed to be happy throughout the weekend activities at Horse Show, which was held in honour of the Platinum Jubilee, which marks her 70-year reign as the reigning monarch. Her Majesty not only watched her horses parade in one of the processions, but also saw her granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor arrive in the late Prince Philip’s carriage. A speech was also given by the queen to celebrate her birthday. Helen MirrenHonored by other A-listers, Tom Cruise.
The monarch’s health has been called into question over the past couple of years as she has been forced to skip multiple events due to various medical issues. She was briefly hospitalized in October 2021 for unspecified reasons. The following month, she missed Remembrance Day events due to a sprained lower back. In February, she was positive for COVID-19.
The Queen attends the second day of the Royal Windsor Horse Show 2022 at Windsor Castle on May 13, 2022. James Whatling/MEGA
“She’s showed extraordinary courage and is thankful for all the love and support she’s received, and as long as she feels able to work that’s what she’ll continue to [do],” a source told Us WeeklyAfter recovering from COVID, Elizabeth resumed her royal duties in March.
She was forced to miss Maundy Thurday on April 14th, the Thursday before Easter, last month. Days earlier, she had visited with Prince HarryAnd Meghan MarkleThey were visiting town to attend the Invictus Games. The Duke of Sussex, 37 years old, later spoke. Hoda Koch that his grandmother was “[in] great form” and that he made her laugh.
“She’s always got a sense of humor when she’s with me,” he added.
