Queen goes back to work as she conducts first engagements since Prince Philip's funeral by videolink from Windsor Castle

The Queen's stoic spirit shone through today as she returned to work with a beaming smile in her first photographed engagement since Prince Philip's funeral.

The monarch, no longer dressed in black mourning robes, was seen via video link from Windsor Castle while welcoming dignitaries to Buckingham Palace.

She appeared on screen, dressed in a pale blue floral gown with pearls, to greet Her Excellency Ivita Burmistre, the Ambassador of Latvia, at Buckingham Palace.

During the virtual meeting, she also received Her Excellency Sara Affoue Amani, the Ambassador of Cote d'Ivoire.

It comes just ten days after the funeral of her husband, Prince Philip, who died earlier this month at the age of 99.

The Queen has returned to work, holding her first engagements since Prince Philip's funeral today.

During a virtual audience to welcome Her Excellency Ivita Burmistre, the Ambassador of Latvia, at Buckingham Palace, she appeared on screen with a beaming smile.

Her Excellency Sara Affoue Amani, the Ambassador of Cote d'Ivoire, was also received at Buckingham Palace.

It follows the funeral of her husband, Prince Philip, who died earlier this month at the age of 99.

Though this is the first time the Queen has been photographed working since the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral on April 17, it is not the first time she has worked since his death.

The Queen resumed royal duties on April 9, just four days after the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.

On Tuesday, she attended the retirement ceremony for the former Lord Chamberlain, Earl Peel.

Then, in her second official engagement since Prince Philip's death, she formally welcomed her new Lord Chamberlain to the position.

Notably, the Queen was not wearing a black mourning gown in her most recent appearance today.

She wore a pale blue floral gown with large purple, white, and yellow flowers, as well as a three-string pearl necklace and a diamond brooch as accessories.

On Friday, April 23, the monarchy and their households were allowed to return to work full-time after two weeks of royal mourning in memory of the Queen's husband of 73 years.

The royal family gathered for a touching final farewell to Philip on April 17 at a socially distanced funeral service in St George's Chapel, with the Queen pictured sitting alone as she grieved for her consort.

The Queen, who turned 95 just 12 days after the duke died, used her birthday to thank well-wishers for their tributes to Philip.

She and her family were in a "period of great sadness," she said but were comforted by the duke's praise.

'We have been deeply moved and continue to be reminded of Philip's extraordinary impact on countless people throughout his life,' she added.

During a virtual audience to receive Her Excellency, the Queen appears on a screen via videolink from Windsor Castle, where she is in residence. Sara Affoue Amani, Cote d'Ivoire's Ambassador

During today's virtual meeting at Buckingham Palace, both the Queen and Latvia's Ambassador, Her Excellency Ivita Burmistre, were all smiles.

Ivita Burmistre, ambassador from the Republic of Latvia, presented the audience with her predecessor's Letters of Recall as well as her own Letters of Credence, as did Sara Affoue Amani, ambassador from the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire.

Earl Peel, a key royal aide who retired after 14 years of service, was bid farewell by the Queen earlier this month, just four days after Prince Philip's death.

Earl Peel held the position of Lord Chamberlain, the most senior officer in the royal household.

He oversaw the duke's funeral arrangements before handing over responsibility to his successor, former MI5 spy chief Baron Parker, just over a week before Philip died peacefully at Windsor Castle.

Baron Parker officially assumed his new role on April 1, following the retirement of Earl Peel after more than 14 years in the position.

Following the departure of Earl Peel, the Queen welcomed Baron Parker into the role in her second official engagement since Prince Philip's death.

It comes as a former BBC royal correspondent claims the Queen is preparing to step back from royal duties in order to prepare for a future without Prince Philip.

The Queen is expected to give her children more responsibilities within the company.

Peter Hunt, who worked at the BBC until 2017, told the New York Times: 'Fundamentally, the Queen will fade away gracefully.'

'Covid has aided in the sense that it has accelerated what any sensible 95-year-old woman would want to do, which is not stand on her feet all day long,' says the doctor.

He went on to say that, while the Queen has returned to work since her husband's death, she is unlikely to resume her hectic schedule of busy meetings, garden parties, and receptions, and may only visit Buckingham Palace two days a week for meetings.

Instead, she is expected to remain at Windsor Castle, where she has been quarantined for the majority of the last year.

Prince Charles will most likely take on additional responsibilities, such as accompanying his mother to the state opening of parliament next month.

With the exception of 1959 and 1963, when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, the monarch has overseen every constitutional set-piece since taking the throne in 1952.

The Duke of Edinburgh only missed the event once, when he was hospitalized 12 months before retiring in 2018.

It comes after a royal expert claimed that Prince Charles wants to slim down the monarchy in order to save money.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who currently live in an £11 million mansion in California with their son Archie, could be 'cut' from The Firm, with a shrunk-down version only including Charles, Camilla, William, Kate Middleton, Princes George and Louis, and Princess Charlotte as senior royals, according to royal biographer Angela Levin.

The Queen will be accompanied by her son Prince Charles to the State Opening of Parliament in May, which he has attended since his father retired in 2018.

Other royals may be encouraged to take on paid work to help support themselves, and their titles and patronages may be revoked.

'Prince Charles has wanted for a very long time to cut the monarchy down to save costs and to make people worth the money that they got from the taxpayer,' Ms. Levin said on talkRADIO.

'I imagine that will be when Harry and Meghan are no longer considered members of the Royal family.'

'I think the outer edge, which the Queen has wanted to keep together for sentimental reasons for a very long time, which at her age she didn't particularly want to change, which I think is understandable.

'But he wants to change, and I believe he will.'

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