Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday carried out her first public engagement since Britain’s COVID-19 lockdown in March. But the queen was seen outside the palace grounds without a mask, despite a resurgence in COVID-19 infections. The 94-year-old monarch visited the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down, southwest England, along with her grandson, Prince William. Neither of them was seen wearing face masks but maintained social distancing norms.
The queen decided not to wear a mask after consulting her medics and scientists at the Porton Down military research facility, Buckingham Palace stated. At the first engagement where the queen has officially met people away from Windsor Castle, she met with scientists involved in classified research to protect the UK against terrorist and criminal threats.
During the visit, the media weren’t allowed to get close to the visitors. The queen arrived in a helicopter separately from Prince William, who arrived by car. Prince William, during public outings with his wife Kate, has been seen sporting face masks.
The queen, since going into self-isolation in March, has taken part in only two engagements—a scaled-down Trooping the Colour celebration in June and the knighting of fundraiser Sir Tom Moore, both behind closed doors.
In July, the monarch attended granddaughter Princess Beatrice’s wedding to Edward Mapelli Mozzi after the original date in May was postponed due to the pandemic. Only 20 guests consisting of close family and friends were in attendance.
