Queen Elizabeth.Photo: PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo
Queen Elizabethsurprised commuters on Tuesday when she made a surprise appearance at a London Underground station.
The monarch, 96, helped open a new railway named in her honor. Looking radiant in an all-yellow ensemble, she bought the first ticket for the Elizabeth Line.
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The palace said that the Queen had been “aware” of Tuesday morning’s engagement to open the line and the organizers had been warned that she might attend if she felt able to do so (they even reportedly had two different plaques to be unveiled, which they switched from listing Edward to the Queen in the last moment.)
Queen Elizabeth.Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images
Clearly in a buoyant mood after her recent outings, the Queen felt well enough to join Edward. Buckingham Palace called the outing a “happy” moment.
“In a happy development Her Majesty The Queen is attending today’s event to mark the completion of the Elizabeth Line,” a spokesman said.
Queen Elizabeth.PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo
Palace officials have stressed that the Queen has been experiencing “episodic mobility problems,” and her appearance at any event going forward will only be confirmed hours before the start time.
The prestigious Crossrail project, which was renamed in the Queen’s honor, is set to open to the public on May 24th — in time for the main Jubilee celebrations that begin on June 2. The Queen and Edward met some of the staff who will be running the railway.
Queen Elizabeth buys the first ticket for the Elizabeth Line.PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo
“On there?” the Queen replied, to which Duah said: “Perfect, and if you see on the screen here, it says you’ve got £5, and if you want to top up here’s £5 and £10.”
“And where might I go?” the monarch asked.
“You can go all the way from here to Abbey Wood,” Duah replied.
“Oh nice, splendid,” the Queen said.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Edward.Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images
While she may have purchased the first ticket, the Queen didn’t take a ride on the new train — she left that to Edward to travel from Paddington station in London’s west to Tottenham Court Road in the heart of the city.
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Her surprise appearance bodes well for the upcoming Platinum Jubilee weekend, which runs from June 2 to June 5 and will celebrate her astonishing 70 years on the throne. It is hoped she will be able to attend some of the official events, from Trooping the Colour (the annual public festivities for the Queen’s birthday) on June 2 and the Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Friday, June 3.
source: people.com
