The Queen, 96, is pictured leaning on a walking stick as she

meets new Prime Minister Liz Truss from the comfort of

Balmoral rather than make 1,000-mile round trip amid
health fears

The Queen used a walking stick as she welcomed Liz Truss at an audience at
Balmoral Castle in Scotland today, where she invited the newly-elected leader of the
Conservative Party to become prime minister.
The historic audience was the first time that the 96-year-old monarch, who has faced
ongoing mobility issues, has carried out the key duty at her retreat in Aberdeenshire,
rather than at Buckingham Palace. Today is also the first time Her Majesty has been
pictured since she was seen arriving at the estate on July 21 for her summer holiday.

The Queen has been suffering from episodic mobility problems since last autumn,
and the decision was taken last week to ask the outgoing and incoming premiers to
make the 1,000-mile round-trip to see her. Some observers noticed that Her Majesty's
right hand appeared bruised or purple in photographs of her meeting Miss Truss.
A statement from Buckingham Palace issued at 1pm today said: 'The Queen received
in Audience The Right Honourable Elizabeth Truss MP today and requested her to
form a new Administration. Ms Truss accepted Her Majesty's offer and kissed hands
upon her appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury.'

The Court Circular normally records that 'the Prime Minister kissed hands on
appointment'. However, this is not literally the case, and it is usually a handshake - as
it was with Miss Truss today.

The meeting took place in Balmoral's green-carpeted Drawing Room, which has
matching green sofas, a leaf-patterned fabric chair, an open fire and a number of
equine-themed antique paintings on the walls.

The Queen normally spends the months of August and September at her Highlands
retreat, where she is joined by other family members at various stages. Prince
William and Kate and their children, Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven,
and Prince Louis, four, are among those who have already been to see her at
Balmoral this year.

It is not yet known if Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will visit her while in the UK
this week. They attended the One Young World Summit in Manchester yesterday, and
were in Germany today for an Invictus Games pre-event in Dusseldorf the following
day. They will then return to the UK for the WellChild Awards in London this
Thursday.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children Lady Louise and Viscount James
have already been to visit the Queen, and Prince Charles is said to be visiting her
daily. Prince Andrew has also been at Balmoral.

Miss Truss, 47, has become the third female prime minister in British history -
following in the footsteps of Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May - with all three
serving during the Queen's 70 years on the throne.

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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11185023/The-Queen-meets-incoming-Prime-Minister-
Liz-Truss.html
ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.

1. Who is Liz Truss?

2. Where did the Queen have an audience with Liz Truss?

3. Why did the Queen receive Liz Truss there and not in Buckingham Palace?

4. What happened to the Queen’s right hand?

5. When does the Queen usually go to her Highlands retreat?

6. How many female prime ministers has the UK had?