The Queen is ‘so happy’ as she resumes royal activities after lockdown, according to a royal author, since Prince Philip would not want her ‘sitting around mourning like Queen Victoria’.

Phil Dampier’s remarks came after Her Majesty went out for the Royal Windsor Horse Show four days in a row, delighting royal admirers with her cheerful appearances.

Although the Queen was ‘devastated’ by Prince Philip’s death in April, she has been keen to continue on with her responsibilities because he would want her to ‘live life to the full’, according to Phil Dampier, who has written about the royal family for 35 years.

He went on to say that the Queen has gained ‘new energy’ as a result of the lifting of lockdown limitations, and that she is carrying out her responsibilities with newfound ‘enthusiasm.’

“Some might think it is strange that she is so happy so soon after Prince Philip’s death, but I think there is a simple explanation,” Dampier explained. “I’m sure she was devastated by his passing—after all they were married for 73 years. But I’m sure that he told her to enjoy what was left of her own life. He would not want her to sit around mourning him like Queen Victoria did for Albert, and I bet he would want her to carry on living life to the full.”

“Ironically they spent a lot more time together at the end because of lockdown.

“His death wasn’t unexpected and he had a long and fulfilled life.

“Like him the Queen is very practical and pragmatic, and she knows he would support her getting out and about.”

At the Royal Windsor Horse Show, the Queen was accompanied by Sophie Wessex, Prince Edward, and Lady Louise Windsor, as well as Penny Brabourne, a family friend and the Duke of Edinburgh’s close confidante.

Philip had been married to the Queen for 73 years when he died in April, after a series of health problems that culminated in a month-long hospitalization just before his death.

At the occasion, the queen put on a joyful show, smiling and laughing heartily as she participated in the festivities.

Every year, the UK’s biggest outdoor horse show takes place over five days and features international events in three equestrian disciplines.

Dampier also said that the Queen has gained “new energy” as coronavirus limitations have eased, which may be another factor in her finding reasons to smile after Philip’s death.

Mr Dampier continued: ‘It’s been fantastic to see the Queen is such good form in recent weeks. She seems happy and relaxed and it’s a joy to see her smiling face.

‘I think she is just delighted to be out of lockdown like the rest of us, and getting out and about doing the things she loves.

‘She has her social life and you could see how happy she was to be at the Windsor Horse Show, one of her favourite events of the year, four days running.

‘She meets up with old friends and loves to catch up on gossip, as well as spend time with her own family.’

The queen had a busy week, as she also traveled to Scotland for Royal Week and met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday at Windsor Castle.