Her winter break in Sandringham has come to an end, but that didn't stop the Queen from making a cheerful appearance on Tuesday morning. The 90-year-old monarch was pictured boarding a train in Norfolk bound for London, marking the end of her festive holiday and a return to royal duties. The Queen, who was not accompanied by her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, took the scheduled 10.54 service from King's Lynn to King's Cross.
Why the Queen is an ever modern monarch
Wearing a bright green coat, matching dress and a dainty silk headscarf, the Queen appeared to be in very high spirits. She carried her black handbag and was also pictured with a briefcase on the train. The royal, who has made history by becoming the first British monarch to reach 65 years on the throne, travelled with a friend. The pair had seats in a first class carriage on the Great Northern Thameslink train and the Queen's ticket is believed to have cost £56.10.
© Photo: PAThe Queen took the scheduled 10.54 service from King's Lynn to King's Cross
The Queen spent the Christmas holidays in Sandringham, where she and Prince Philip were joined by different members of the British royal family for a few days. The couple were slightly delayed in travelling to Sandringham as they were both suffering from "heavy colds". The Queen was again indisposed over the week of Christmas and New Year due to her illness; she missed the traditional church services for the first time in 28 years.
© Photo: Getty ImagesHer Majesty appeared to be in high spirits as she ended her winter break
Her Majesty looks to have made a full recovery and carried out her first official engagement of the year in mid-January, when she attended the annual Women's Institute meeting in Sandringham. The mum-of-four has attended the WI group's meetings since 1943 and took over as President from the Queen Mother, who in turn took over from Queen Mary.
Princess Charlotte is definitely taking after great-gran the Queen!
© Photo: Getty ImagesShe had a first class ticket, thought to cost around £56
On Monday, Her Majesty became the first British monarch to reach their Sapphire Jubilee. The milestone was bittersweet as it marked 65 years to the day since her father King George VI died, and she ascended to the throne. The King died from a coronary thrombosis in his sleep at the age of 56 and overnight, his daughter went from being the young Princess Elizabeth to Her Majesty the Queen. Understandably, she marked her father's death anniversary in private at Sandringham, with her husband Philip.
