In a major change to the way the monarch handles royal engagements, royal aides will now confirm Her Majesty’s attendance on the day of an event.The public, a Palace source told The Mail On Sunday, must now start assuming the Queen will not be attending public events. “The assumption must now be that the Queen will not be present at events,” the source said. “If Her Majesty does attend, it will be decided on the adday and she will be accompanied by another member of the royal family.”The new strategy comes after Palace was forced to make several last-minute cancellations in recent months when the Queen was forced to pull out of royal engagements. While the Queen has appeared well during virtual engagements, continuing mobility problems mean she has been unable attend public events such as the recent Maundy Service. Prince Charles stood in for the Queen at the service, which Her Majesty was forced to miss for the first time in 52 years. The Queen’s most recent public appearance came on March 29 at the thanksgiving service for her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey.The monarch had been determined to attend the service for her beloved husband, despite having to cancel prior engagements at the last minute for health reasons. Over the past six months, Her Majesty, who is now permanently based at Windsor Castle, has cancelled appearances at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph and the annual Commonwealth Service.Aides are hopeful the Queen will be able to attend some of the events organised to mark her upcoming Platinum Jubilee in person.
Powered by WPeMatico
