With a warm smile the Queen arrived at the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday morning to attend the Women's Institute centenary annual meeting. The monarch, who looked summery in a powder blue coat over a floral dress, and a matching hat, was in high spirits as she joined WI members as the guest of honour for their 100th anniversary event.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe Queen cutting the Women's Institute anniversary cake
The Queen, who has been a member of the WI since 1943, was joined by her daughter Princess Anne and her daughter-in-law Sophie Countess of Wessex for the meeting. Sophie made another stylish appearance in a white shift dress teamed with nude shoes, while the Princess Royal chose a cream skirt suit featuring a vibrant orange trim.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe Queen was in high spirits as she arrived at the Royal Albert Hall
While at the event, the Queen cut a celebration cake and presented the Lady Denman Cup to the winner of the WI's creative writing competition. She also received the WI's commemorative baton, which has travelled to some of the WI's 6,600 branches across England, Wales, Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man. It has been designed to celebrate the friendship and community between the organisation’s 212,000 members.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe Queen wore a powder blue coat over a floral dress
The Queen, who is honorary president of the WI, received the baton and then watched footage of its journey to the Royal Albert Hall, which initially began in January 2014.The monarch's appearance comes just 24 hours after the BBC sparked concern for her health with a confusing tweet. But she dispelled any worries about her wellbeing with her cheerful appearance at the Albert Hall.
© Photo: RexSophie Countess of Wessex also attended the WI centenary celebration
After declaring the meeting open, the Queen congratulated the WI members on the "significant occasion"."Over the past 100 years the Women's Institute has continued to grow and evolve with its members to stay relevant and forward-thinking," added the 89-year-old, who over the years has attended meetings near her Sandringham home in Norfolk. "In 2015 the Women's Institute continues to demonstrate it can make a real difference to the lives of women of all ages and backgrounds."
