The Queen unexpectedly appears to mark the new metro line

LONDON – Queen Elizabeth II suddenly visited the train station in central London to see the recently completed metro line named after her.

The 96-year-old monarch, who has cut most of his public appearances, appeared Tuesday at Paddington Station to see the Elizabeth Line from East to West, which is due to be open to the public on May 24.

Calling the event a “happy development”, Buckingham Palace said “the organizers were informed of the possibility of its participation”.

The queen, who wore a sunny yellow dress with a matching hat, was joined on an official visit by her youngest son, Prince Edward. She was seen smiling as she walked around the station with a cane in her hand.

The monarch first appeared in public in a few weeks on Friday when she visited the Royal Windsor Equestrian Show to watch the performance of her favorite horses.

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Her public appearances are being closely watched as Britain prepares to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the monarch on the throne with four days of platinum anniversary celebrations from 2 to 5 June.

Last week, she asked her son and heir to the throne, Prince Charles, to preside at the opening of Parliament and deliver a speech by the Queen outlining the government’s legislative program.

Representatives of the palace said that in recent months she has been experiencing “episodic mobility problems” and has difficulty moving.