LONDON — Queen Elizabeth II made her first public appearance since entering isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic in March, appearing at the opening of a new technology defense center on Thursday.
The 94-year-old monarch was joined by her grandson, Prince William, at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down near Salisbury, in southern England, and met with scientists battling the virus.
The queen unveiled a plaque to officially open the new 30 million-pound ($39 million) Energetics Analysis Centre, used by scientists for counter-terrorist work.
The official Twitter account for the Royal family shared photos of the Queen and Duke of Cambridge viewing a Forensic Explosives Investigation demonstration hosted by employees of the Counter Terrorism and Security department.
Though the U.K. is in the midst of a resurgence of the virus, neither the queen nor William were seen donning a face covering but both observed social distancing rules of staying 2 meters (6.5 feet) apart from each other and anyone else. The queen had arrived by helicopter separately from the Duke of Cambridge, who had travelled by car.
A spokesman for the palace said all advice was followed.
"Specific advice has been sought from the medical household and relevant parties, and all necessary precautions taken, working closely with Dstl," the spokesperson said.
All 48 people who were due to come into close contact with the royal pair had been tested for the coronavirus. All the tests came back negative.
Kensington Palace, the London residence of William, declined to comment as to whether the prince had also been required to have a test in order to be able to accompany his grandmother at Thursday’s event.
The queen’s last official public engagement outside of a royal residence was on March 9 when she joined the royal family for the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey. Before the U.K. was put into full lockdown on March 23, the queen and her husband, Prince Philip, had moved from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle, where they have been since.
Though living a far more solitary existence, the queen has been a visible presence over the past few months. She has been seen taking part in her first video conference call to support those caring for others, often in difficult circumstances at home during the pandemic. She has also addressed the nation on two occasions from Windsor Castle, in large part to bolster people’s resolve in the face of the lockdown.
On signing the guest book at Porton Down, the queen quipped: “Well it proves we’ve been here, doesn’t it?”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.