Queen's Platinum Jubilee: Alan Jones discusses plans

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Before the pandemic, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh used to be constantly surrounded by other people at royal engagements. The royal couple are said to have found lockdown restrictions difficult due to the inability to attend events in person.

Prince Edward told the Telegraph Magazine how the pandemic personally affected his parents.

He said: “For them, life is so much about contact, it’s so much about people and then suddenly that all stops.”

He explained that the Queen’s in-person work keeps her busy and it “doesn’t really give her very much time to dwell on anything for too long”.

The Earl of Wessex added that the pandemic was “staggeringly difficult” for his parents.

Edward’s remarks follow claims that the Queen is keen to increase her workload and is looking forward to a busy summer of royal engagements.

She is said to be centred in getting back on track with her public appearances following long moths of virtual addresses.

A Palace source told the Telegraph: “There is a strong desire from Her Majesty to get back out and about.”

The Palace is expected to confirm that the Monarch will meet US President Joe Biden and other world leaders before the G7 summit.

A list of other royal events are also believed to be awaiting confirmation soon.

Meanwhile, Palace officials are seeking to distance Her Majesty from the “political controversy” surrounding a proposed new £200 million national flagship.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed earlier this year plans to commission the country’s first national flagship since the Royal Yacht Britannia was decommissioned in 1997.

The project will cost up to £200m and will host ministerial meetings and diplomatic discussions, as well as being used on royal tours.

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According to Daily Express royal expert Richard Palmer, Palace officials are trying to “distance” the Queen from the project.

He tweeted: “Buckingham Palace is doing its best to distance the Queen from political controversy over the idea of a new £200 million ‘national flagship’ which she will almost certainly never use.

“But how many flagships can the Royal Navy have? Is the number limitless?

“The aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is already the fleet flagship.

“HMS Victory, in Portsmouth Dockyard, is the First Sea Lord’s and, thus the ceremonial, flagship.”

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