Queen Elizabeth back in the saddle as British lockdown eases

Britain's Queen Elizabeth was photographed riding a 14-year-old Fell pony in Windsor Home Park on Sunday as the country eases stringent measures to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Wearing a colourful headscarf and smartly dressed in a tweed jacket, Jodhpurs, white gloves and boots, the queen can be seen in the new photographs taken by the Press Association riding during the weekend's sunny weather.

A passionate horse lover and breeder of thoroughbred racehorses, the monarch regularly rides in the grounds of Windsor, which is said to be her favourite royal residence.

Queen Elizabeth rides Balmoral Fern in Windsor Home Park. AFP

The queen has been isolating there with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, 98, and a small number of staff. The last public picture of the queen was taken as she was driven away from Buckingham Palace to her Berkshire home on March 19.

The last public picture of the queen was taken as she was driven away from Buckingham Palace to her Berkshire home on 19 March.

The queen carried out official duties the day before her planned departure, but held her weekly face-to-face audience with Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the phone instead.

The queen has been living at Windsor Castle, west of London, during the lockdown with her 98-year-old husband Prince Philip.

From there, she has issued a number of rallying messages to the nation, including televised addresses that have been a rarity during her 68-year reign.