Queen Elizabeth Starts Off Platinum Jubilee Celebrations With Sandringham Reception
The monarch hosted members of local volunteer groups at her Norfolk estate on the eve of Accession Day.
Queen Elizabeth (Photo: Joe Giddens/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth has made her first public appearance of this year, ahead of the 70th anniversary of her reign.
The monarch hosted a reception for members of local community and volunteer groups today at Sandrigham House. She appeared in good spirits as she greeted her guests, including fellow members of the Sandringham branch of the Women’s Institute, of which the Queen has been a loyal member since 1943.
According to Buckingham Palace, among the guests was Angela Wood, who helped create the original recipe for Coronation Chicken in 1953, as Britain celebrated the monarch's coronation at Westminster Abbey. The two women discussed the work involved in developing the recipe at the time.
Queen Elizabeth speaks with Angela Wood. (Photo: Joe Giddens/Getty Images)
After greeting her guests, the Queen was presented with a cake specially prepared for the occasion by a local resident, featuring The Platinum Jubilee emblem, which she cut at the event. Harry Humphrey, mayor of local town King's Lynn also presented the monarch with a Loyal Address and Platinum Jubilee Mosaic created by school children from across West Norfolk.
Queen Elizabeth after cutting her cake. (Photo: Joe Giddens/Getty Images)
Other guests at the celebration include Sandringham Estate pensioners and their families and representatives from local charities Little Discoverers, which provides early education for pre-school children with motor learning difficulties and delayed development, and West Norfolk Befriending, which unites isolated older people in the local area to reduce social isolation.
At the close of the event, the Queen received a posy of flowers that were part of her coronation bouquet, such as lily of the valley. The local Hunstanton Concert Band played "Congratulations" she left Sandringham House.
Queen Elizabeth speaks with members of the West Norfolk Befriending Society. (Photo: Joe Giddens/Getty Images)
Tomorrow the monarch will celebrate Accession Day, marking 70 years of service to Britain and the Commonwealth. Per Buckingham Palace, the Queen will spend Sunday quietly and privately reflecting on the special moment at the Sandringham estate's Wood Farm. The royal milestone will officially be celebrated over a special four-day public holiday weekend this June.
This article originally appeared in Harper's BAZAAR US