Queen Elizabeth skipped a number of events from her Platinum Jubilee celebration. She is also skipping another event next month, and Prince Charles will replace her at the event.
Queen Elizabeth Will Be Replaced By Price Charles At Commonwealth Games
The 96-year-old monarch will miss the summer Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Senior figures with knowledge about the sporting competition told Daily Mail that due to Queen Elizabeth's "increasing frailty," she's not expected to attend the event.
However, the heir apparent, Prince Charles, will be there on the Queen's behalf for the opening ceremony. A number of senior royals are also expected to be present at the competition as it is on home ground.
Prince William and Kate Middleton are likely to attend for several days. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge might even bright their kids — Prince George, 8, Princess Charlotte, 7, and Prince Louis, 4 — along.
Aside from the Cambridges, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, are other high-profile attendees. Queen Elizabeth is the patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation, while her youngest son, Prince Edward, is the vice patron.
The Queen launched the Commonwealth Games baton relay at Buckingham Palace in October. She placed a secret message inside that won't be read until the Games are underway.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the said report. Sources said the engagement is still in the Queen's diary, and "Decisions on events are taken closer to the time."
Queen Elizabeth Health: How's The British Monarch Doing
According to the palace, she has "episodic mobility problems." Other than that, there were no other health issues reported.
However, the royals and the Queen's doctors have been urging her to slow down. Many would understand if she would make fewer appearances because of her advanced years.
During the four-day festivities for the Platinum Jubilee, she skipped several events, including the Thanksgiving service Friday and Epsom Derby Saturday.
The Queen successfully appeared on the balcony on Trooping the Colour. She also made another balcony appearance at the Platinum Jubilee finale Sunday to personally thanked the people who celebrated with her on her milestone.
However, after Thursday's Trooping the Colour, she didn't attend the engagement the following day. "The Queen greatly enjoyed today's Birthday Parade and Flypast but did experience some discomfort," a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said while announcing that she would not attend the Thanksgiving service in honor of her.
Royal historian Robert Lacey addressed the Queen's absences at the event. According to him, the monarch herself, has high expectations from herself.
"She would not want to stumble — not for her own sake but for the distress it would cause other people," Lacey told People.
Stay tuned for more news and updates about the royal family.