The Queen

Queen Meets Navy Carrier's Captain Amid Coronavirus Cancellations

The Queen has met the commanding officer of HMS Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace.

Her Majesty greeted Captain Angus Essenhigh, the new commanding officer of the Royal Navy aircraft carrier, and his predecessor Commodore Steve Moorhouse.

There were no handshakes, just bows from the captain and the commodore, as they met and chatted with the monarch in the private audience room of the Queen’s London home.

The meeting took place, despite the cancellation of garden parties at Buckingham Palace due to coronavirus fears.

The Queen is leaving London for Windsor Castle tomorrow, a week earlier than she usually does for Easter Court, as she follows Government guidance on the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decision to cancel the Queen's garden parties at Buckingham Palace includes the annual party for the military charity, the Not Forgotten Association.

While the Palace of Holyroodhouse garden party in Edinburgh, which takes place in July, is under review.

The garden parties in London are usually held between May and July.

"As a sensible precaution and for practical reasons in the current circumstances, a number of changes are being made to the Queen’s diary," the palace said in a statement.

An announcement on Trooping the Colour will be made in "due course" (Picture: MOD).

"Her Majesty will move to Windsor Castle for the Easter period on Thursday 19 March, one week earlier than planned.

"It is likely the Queen will stay there beyond the Easter period.

"In consultation with the Medical Household and Government, a number of public events with large numbers of people due to have been attended by the Queen, and other members of the royal family, in the coming months will be cancelled or postponed."