Beaming Queen stands unaided as she welcomes Emir of Qatar before big week of Jubilee celebrations
THE Queen beamed today as she stood unaided to welcome the Emir of Qatar ahead of her Jubilee celebrations.
Her Majesty, 96, met with the ruler, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, at Windsor Castle on Tuesday afternoon.
The monarch, whose Platinum Jubilee celebrations are just over a week away, was pictured standing, shaking hands with the Emir in her Oak Room.
Wearing a blue and green floral dress, she smiled broadly as she greeted her guest - a day after she toured the Chelsea Flower Show by buggy.
The Queen, who has mobility issues, was driven around in a Royal Household electric vehicle by a chauffeur in a peaked cap, from the monarch's staff.
She was shown around ten gardens including a memorial garden to The Sun’s legendary gardening editor Peter Seabrook.
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The Queen Mobile, made by Danish firm Garia in a tie-up with MercedesBenz, is estimated to cost around £62,000 and comes with all-weather covers, fridge and infotainment screen.
The electric cart is said to have a 43mph top speed although it crawled around the Chelsea site at a more sedate pace yesterday.
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: "Adjustments have been made for the Queen's comfort."
Her Majesty has made a number of appearances in recent weeks ahead of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations on June 2.
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Today's meeting with the Emir is the first time she has been pictured unaided in recent weeks.
Last week, the Queen used a walking stick as she joined youngest son Edward for the opening of the new Elizabeth line at Paddington Station.
Her visit, which was kept a surprise, delighted royal fans as she topped up her Oyster card.
It came just two days after she got her Jubilee celebrations off to a flying start as she rubbed shoulders with Hollywood royalty in Windsor.
She was hailed by Top Gun star Tom Cruise, 59, who said: “What she has accomplished has been historic.”
Meanwhile, earlier today, the Emir used a bilateral discussion with Boris Johnson to invite him to watch the winter 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The tournament has been dogged by human rights controversies in relation to migrant worker abuses during the construction of stadiums in the country.
Qatar's right to stage the major sporting event was publicly questioned at the Fifa Congress in Doha in March, with the president of the Norwegian federation saying there was "no room" for hosts who could not legally guarantee the safety of LGBTQI+ people.
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Same-sex relationships are directly criminalised under the laws of the Gulf state, leading to concerns over the well-being of LGBTQI+ people visiting for the tournament and those from that community who reside there.
Fifa and the Supreme Committee insist supporters from the LGBTIQ+ community will be made welcome.
