It was business as usual for Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday, as she carried out her first full day of official engagements since undergoing surgery on her knee last month.
Walking with a cane and accompanied by her husband Prince Philip, the 76-year-old monarch spent the day in Belfast, where she opened the £30-million Laganside court complex, unveiling a plaque to commemorate the occasion.
The Queen, who chose a green coat with matching hat for the visit, also took time to take a river cruise on the Lagan, where she saw first hand the development of the Belfast waterfront. Disembarking at the Ravenhill jetty in the southeastern part of the city, the royal couple travelled by car to the £45-million Halifax Bank of Scotland call centre building, which was part of the area's economic regeneration plan.
Smiling and relaxed during the trip, the monarch seems to be recovering nicely from the January surgery, which removed torn cartilage from her right knee. The Queen damaged the joint when she stumbled on uneven ground during a trip to Newmarket in December.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
