LONDON, March 13 (BNA) – Britain’s Queen Elizabeth will miss Commonwealth service next week, Buckingham Palace said, in what was to be the 95-year-old’s first in-person engagement since she advised her to rest. the doctors.
The world’s oldest and longest-reigning monarch, Reuters reported, has not been seen since she spent a night in hospital last October with an unspecified illness, then was instructed by her medical team to rest.
Last month, she tested positive for COVID-19, with mild cold-like symptoms, but was well enough to meet Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Windsor Castle on Monday.
However, Buckingham Palace said her son and Crown Prince Charles will replace her next week with the annual service of the 54-nation Commonwealth that she presides.
“After discussing the arrangements with the royal family, the Queen has asked the Prince of Wales to represent Her Majesty in the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on Monday,” the palace said in a statement.
“The Queen will continue with other planned engagements, including in-person, next week.”
The decision was not about any illness, but because it had to do with discussions about the comfort of the Queen’s access to and from the service.
Shortly after she celebrated the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne in February, a palace source said she plans to return to her normal duties.
She has since carried out her duties almost from her home at Windsor Castle, but was expected to attend three engagements this month, including the Commonwealth Service.
Another event – a diplomatic reception at Windsor Castle – has already been postponed because the government felt the timing was inappropriate.
She is still expected to attend a thanksgiving service for Prince Philip, her 73-year-old husband who died at the age of 99 last April, at Westminster Abbey in London at the end of March.
However, one member of the royal family who will not attend that service is her grandson Prince Harry, who now lives in Los Angeles with his American wife Meghan and has been involved in a legal battle with the British government over his security.
His spokesman said Harry would not return to Britain later this month but hoped to visit the Queen as soon as possible.
Harry’s relationship with other members of the royal family has soured since his move to the United States.
MI