For the first time, Queen Elizabeth II was spotted using a walking stick at a major public event Tuesday. She attended a Westminster Abbey service commemorating the centenary of the Royal British Legion, an armed forces organization. The 95-year-old monarch used a cane after her knee surgery.
Princess Anne, the Queen’s daughter, handed her the mobility device as they left the vehicle for the service in downtown London. Queen Elizabeth II, dressed in a royal blue wool coat and bonnet, smiled and moved freely as she proceeded to her place in the chapel.
The queen and Anne were among those in the congregation. It includes serving military people, veterans, and their families from the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries. The service emphasizes the work of the Royal British Legion. It was established in 1921 to care for war members and their families following World War I.
To put things into perspective, the last time she was spotted with a walking aid was in 2003 and 2004. It was when she had knee surgery. Several social media users seem to worry about seeing the Queen using a cane. One tweet, “I know she’s 95, but it’s a little sad to see #QueenElizabeth using a cane to walk.” Another one says, “I can see in the appearances she looks thinner. All the stress surrounding her family and the loss of Philip seems to affect her deeply. I know it’s probably because of her age but I hope she’s well! She looks fab and regal even with a stick.”