The Queen has travelled to Edinburgh for a ceremony at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Her Majesty, 96, was pictured smiling brightly, wearing a blue coat and hat and holding a walking stick as she appeared in the courtyard for the Ceremony of the Keys.

She was accompanied by the Earl and Countess of Wessex and Forfar.

It is the first time she has been photographed since welcoming the Australian governor of New South Wales to Windsor Castle on Wednesday.

The day before, she met the Archbishop of Canterbury, also at her Berkshire residence.

The Queen, 96, had not been seen in public since her Platinum Jubilee weekend.

Buckingham Palace has said she is suffering from mobility issues which meant she watched some of the Jubilee events from Windsor Castle.

Her Majesty arrived at the Chelsea Flower show in May in a buggy because of ongoing health issues.

In the Ceremony of the Keys, the monarch is handed the keys of the city of Edinburgh and welcomed to “your ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland”.

In keeping with tradition, the Queen then returns them to Edinburgh’s elected officials for safekeeping.

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Prince Charles, known as the Earl of Rothesay in Scotland, will take part in a series of public engagements in Scotland over the coming days, as will the Princess Royal.

Prince Andrew, known as the Earl of Inverness in Scotland, no longer carries out public duties and will not be involved.

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