Out and about again: Queen Elizabeth in visit with William

 Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday carried out her first public engment outside of a royal residence since early March when coronavirus pandemic started to impact upon on all aspects of day-to-day life in UK.

94-year-old monarch was joined by her grandson Prince William at Defence Science and Techlogy Laboratory at Porton Down near Salisbury, in sourn England, and met with scientists battling virus. queen unveiled a plaque to officially open new 30 million-pound ($39 million) Energetics Analysis Centre, used by scientists for counter-terrorist work.

Though U.K. is in midst of a resurgence of virus, neir queen r William were seen donning a face covering but both observed social distancing rules of staying 2 meters (6.5 feet) apart from each or and anyone else. queen h arrived by helicopter separately from Duke of Cambridge, who h travelled by car.

A spokesman for palace said all vice was followed.

All 48 people who were due to come into close contact with royal pair h been tested for coronavirus. All tests came back negative.Kensington Palace, London residence of William, declined to comment as to wher prince h also been required to have a test in order to be able to accompany his grandmor at Thursday's event.

queen's last official public engment outside of a royal residence was on March 9 when she joined royal family for Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey. Before U.K. was put into full lockdown on March 23, queen and her husband, Prince Philip, h moved from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle, where y have been since.Though living a far more solitary existence, queen has been a visible presence over past few months, from joining online video calls to support those battling coronavirus as well as dressing nation on two occasions from Windsor Castle, in large part to bolster people's resolve in face of lockdown.

On signing guest book at Porton Down, queen quipped: “Well it proves we've been here, doesn't it?” It's certainly been a while since she could say that.