The Queen walks in a sea of poppies: Extraordinary pictures of Her Majesty paying tribute to WWI's fallen at the Tower of London

With almost all of the 888,246 poppies now in place, the Queen was rendered almost invisible as she walked through the sea of ceramic crimson blooms during a tour of the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red installation at the Tower of London this morning.

Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, himself a former naval officer, Her Majesty looked sombre as she inspected the display which includes one flower for every British or Commonwealth soldier killed during the First World War.

The Queen was making her first public appearance since returning to London from her summer holiday at Balmoral in Aberdeenshire last month, with much of the last fortnight has been spent completing a series of investitures and meetings at Buckingham Palace.

Magical: The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh paid a visit to the Tower of London's Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red installation

Hidden: The installation, which is almost complete and contains 888,246 poppies, completely surrounded the royal couple

Royal salute: As the royal couple arrived, they were given a salute by Yeoman Warder Jim Duncan who helped them lay a wreath

Overwhelmed: The Queen looked sombre as she and the Duke of Edinburgh joined Yeoman Warder Jim Duncan at the Tower of London

Sprawling: Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red includes 888,246 poppies - one for every British and Commonwealth soldier to die

In addition to presenting actress Angelina Jolie with an honorary Damehood last week, Her Majesty spent yesterday meeting Victor Emmanuel Smith, the new Ghanaian High Commissioner, and Meas Kim Heng, the new Cambodian Ambassador, at the Court of St. James's.