Watch: Queen holds audience with Chief of the Defence Staff
The Queen has met the head of the UK military in a face-to-face audience - her first official engagement since she missed the Remembrance Sunday service.
It is the first time in nearly a month that the monarch has been pictured carrying out an in person engagement.
She welcomed General Sir Nick Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, to Windsor Castle as he prepares to step down from his role as the Armed Forces chief at the end of the month.
It was Gen Carter's last audience with the Queen as Chief of the Defence Staff, the Ministry of Defence confirmed.
The military chief told the Queen he had been his current post for eight years, with Her Majesty remarking it was "rather sad" he was leaving, adding: "It’s a long time."
Gen Sir Nick discussed the Duke of Edinburgh’s late uncle, saying: "It is a long time. In fact, the only person who has done longer I’m told is Lord Mountbatten… so I am quite surprised by all that."
The Queen chuckled and replied: "Oh really? Oh?"
The Oak Room is the Queen's sitting room where she spends much of her time, and which also doubles as her office.
The Queen held a face-to-face audience with Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week but was not pictured doing so.
Watch: The Queen attended the Royal British Legion's centenary service last month.
Join Our Newsletter
