The Queen looked to be in good health when she fulfilled her annual duty of distributing money to elderly people at a Maundy Thursday service in Oxford. Accompanied by Prince Philip, the 86-year-old monarch kept the icy chill at bay in a vibrant cobalt blue cashmere coat by Angela Kelly at the Royal Maundy Service at Christ Church Cathedral. She topped off her outfit with a spectacular feathered hat.It was the second time that the monarch had been seen in public since her bout of gastroenteritis at the beginning of March which saw her hospitalised for the first time in a decade.Crowds had gathered with Union Jacks to welcome the royal veterans who travelled to Oxford by royal helicopter then were chauffeured to the city's historic centre by royal limousine.
She gave money in red and white purses to 87 men and 87 women to mark her 87th year. Each nominated recipient receives one white and one red purse. The red one contains a £5 coin and a 50p coin commemorating the 60th anniversary of her majesty's coronation. The white purse contains uniquely minted silver Maundy coins. After the service, her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh ate lunch at Oriel College. Oxford residents took to Twitter to express their excitement at the royal visit. One tweeted, "Did anyone see the Queen in Oxford today? It's such a nice feeling knowing the Queen is visiting our city. #HappyTweet"
All of the monarch's engagements, including a highly-anticipated trip to Rome with her husband, were cancelled or postponed. Her last public engagement saw her and her husband join forces with their granddaughter-in-law Kate Middleton at Baker Street tube station to mark the 150th anniversary of the London Underground. The trio to met ticket hall staff and maintenance and train workers. The Queen unveiled a new plaque naming a new train "Queen Elizabeth II" and got on board.