The Queen makes her first public engagement after missing Remembrance Sunday

The Queen was pictured standing, as she made her first public engagement since missing Remembrance Sunday, ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship reports

The Queen has held a face to face audience with General Sir Nick Carter, the Chief of the Defence Staff, at Windsor Castle - part of her first official engagements since missing the Remembrance Sunday service.

The 95-year-old monarch met with Gen Sir Nick on Wednesday afternoon - three days after she missed the national Remembrance service at the Cenotaph due to a sprained back.

The Queen, who is also head of the armed forces, was pictured standing as she greeted Gen Sir Nick in the Windsor Castle’s Oak Room with Candy the Corgi running about his feet.

It is the first time in nearly a month that the monarch has been pictured carrying out an in person engagement, since she hosted a reception for the global investment summit at Windsor on October 19.

She held a face to face audience with Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week but was not pictured doing so.

Dressed in a green, orange and white floral dress and wearing a string of pearls, the monarch smiled and shook hands with Gen Sir Nick as they began chatting.

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She described the meeting as "rather sad" due to the military chief standing down after eight years.

Gen Sir Nick said: "Eight years as the chief of staff. It is a long time, in fact the only person who's done longer, I'm told, is Lord Mountbatten."

The monarch replied: "I suppose if you get into that job it’s easier to continue isn't it, really."

"I think that's right," the outgoing military chief agreed.

Prior to meeting Gen Sir Nick, the Queen held another audience with the Commanding Officers of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards via video link, Buckingham Palace said.

When asked about his mother's health during a royal tour of Jordan, Prince Charles said: “She's alright thank you very much.

"Once you get to 95, it's not quite as easy as it used to be", he added with a smile.

“It's bad enough at 73," he joked, referencing his own age.

Prince Charles said of his mother 'once you get to 95, it's not quite as easy as it used to be'