Queen insists she’s ‘perfectly capable’ of planting a tree aged 93

Twitter users praise the royal on her strength

Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to the NIAB, (National Institute of Agricultural Botany) on July 09, 2019 in Cambridge, England. (Getty Images)

The Queen has told bystanders that she is “perfectly capable” of planting a tree in response to being offered assistance with a shovel.

On Tuesday, Her Majesty visited the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) in Cambridge to view and exhibition celebrating 100 years of crop research at the site.

During the visit, the 93-year-old was offered help to plant a hornbeam sapling but refused the aid, telling bystanders: “No, no, I’m still perfectly capable of planting a tree.”

Following the remark, the royal took hold of a spade and began shovelling soil onto the plant’s roots.

Jim Godfrey, chairman at the NIAB, said he had been on hand to plant the tree and the royal was to “supervise” the action.

Tina Barsby, chief executive of the NIAB, said it was “very impressive” to see the Queen planting the tree.

“She wasn’t scheduled to plant the tree, it was just to supervise the planting. But she handed her handbag to her someone and seized the spade,” she added. “She obviously wanted to do it!”

Several Twitter users have expressed their admiration of the nonagenarian’s defiance.

Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to the NIAB, (National Institute of Agricultural Botany) on July 09, 2019 in Cambridge, England. (Getty Images)

“Was having a moan about being tired then saw this picture of the Queen planting a tree, aged 93,” commented one user.

Another added: “She reminds me of my grandmother. That generation of women is tough as nails and going to live another 100 years.”

The Queen wore a bright pink tweed jacket, skirt and matching-hued hat for the occasion, which was styled with a pair of white gloves, black shoes, and a black handbag.

The Queen later had lunch as a guest of Queen's College University of Cambridge, before formally opening the Royal Papworth Hospital.

Last month, the Queen celebrated the royal’s 93^rd birthday at the annual Trooping the Colour on Horse Guards Parade in London.

A week prior to the event, the royal was spotted horse riding in Windsor, proving that age is no hindrance to her ability to enjoy the great outdoors.

Earlier this year, the Queen's husband, the Duke of Edinburgh voluntarily gave up his driving licence following a car crash near the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, which resulted in the royal’s Land Rover Freelander landing on its side after a collision with a Kia.

Buckingham Palace later said that Prince Philip had surrendered his licence.

In a statement, the palace said: "After careful consideration the Duke of Edinburgh has taken the decision to voluntarily surrender his driving licence."