LONDON (Reuters) - Queen Elizabeth carried out her first major engagement since the coronavirus lockdown in March, visiting the Porton Down military research facility on Thursday which was involved in dealing with a 2018 Novichok nerve agent attack.

The 94-year-old monarch, who spent Britains national lockdown at Windsor Castle, has carried out her official duties remotely by video or telephone, or at her palace, since social restrictions were introduced.

For her first public outing, she made a rare joint appearance with her grandson Prince William , with neither wearing face masks although all involved were socially distanced.