Returning to work after missing some engagements last week, Queen Mother Elizabeth unveiled a statue of Charles de Gaulle outside his London war-time headquarters Wednesday.
Looking pale and at times a little unsteady, the 92-year-old mother of Queen Elizabeth II chatted animatedly with guests at the ceremony.Last week she was absent from the annual Garter ceremony at St. George's Chapel in Windsor and later missed all of the Royal Ascot races. Royal spokesmen said she had a mild case of flu.
"It gives me very great pleasure to unveil a statue of Charles de Gaulle, a great Frenchman, a great patriot, whose life and achievements were so important to France and to us," said the queen mother, widow of Britain's wartime monarch, George VI.
Guests included members of de Gaulle's family, including his son Adm. Philippe de Gaulle.