The 96-year-old monarch has withdrawn from another appearance, raising new concerns about her health.
The Queen will no longer attend the Epsom Derby on Saturday, Buckingham Palace has announced.
Instead, he will watch the horse racing event, which is part of his platinum jubilee celebrations, on television at Windsor Castle, the Palace said in a statement.
This is the second time in two days that she has been forced to withdraw her attendance at the Jubilee events due to mobility problems.
Until the pandemic, the queen had only missed Derby Day twice during her reign. The royal princess is expected to officially represent the queen, whose unprecedented 70 years on the throne will be celebrated by 40 jockeys ridden by the monarch, before forming a guard of honor at Saturday’s derby.
The 96-year-old monarch withdrew before the Jubilee Thanksgiving service on Friday after experiencing “discomfort” during Thursday’s ceremony where she appeared on the palace balcony with members of the royal family to greet the well-wishers.
The Queen has previously spoken of mobility issues and the Palace confirmed before the jubilee that the monarch would consider the events she felt able to attend during the four days of celebration.
Play live the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations in Flash. More than 25 news channels in one place. New to Flash? Try a month for free. The offer ends on October 31, 2022
The London regional director of The Jockey Club, Phil White, said: “It’s a rare occasion for the Queen not to be able to join us at Epsom Downs, but we’re delighted that she plans to enjoy Derby Day on TV.
“The Derby is a unique race and we are looking forward to welcoming thousands of people to help us create a spectacular carnival atmosphere,” Sky News UK said.
At a reception at the Guildhall in London on Friday, it is said that Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, told an attendee that the Queen was “well” but that she had found the day “very tired”, reports The Sun.
“We have big plans to celebrate Her Majesty ‘s contribution to horse racing and the nation, and they will continue in full tomorrow.
Gill Smallwood of Bolton in the north of England spoke to Kate and asked her how the queen was.
“She (Kate) said ‘yes, she was fine, she was very tired yesterday, and she (the queen) had a lovely, lovely time.'”
On Friday, the Queen was ready to join the National Thanksgiving Service at St Paul’s Cathedral in central London. It would have been part of a large contingent that includes Prince Harry and Meghan Markle who have arrived from the United States.
The Queen’s love for horse racing was referred to in the Thanksgiving Plenary in St. Paul’s Cathedral.
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, praised her for “keeping her course” and said she was “still in the chair,” although she was unable to attend.
The queen has deep faith and losing her religious service would not have been an easy decision.
However, Buckingham Palace said it would not attend St Paul’s.
“The queen really enjoyed today’s birthday parade and the parade, but she experienced some discomfort,” a statement said on Thursday.
“Given the journey and the activity necessary to participate in the National Thanksgiving Service of tomorrow, His Majesty, with great reluctance, has concluded that he will not attend.
“The Queen is looking forward to taking part in tonight’s lighthouse lighting event at Windsor Castle and would like to thank all those who have made such a memorable occasion today.”
On Thursday, the Queen appeared from Buckingham Palace with a cane to begin four days of public events to mark her historic platinum jubilee. The jubilee marks the 70th anniversary of the queen’s reign.
The 96-year-old was seen using a cane as he entered the balcony with his cousin, 86-year-old Prince Edward, Duke of Kent. The extended family later joined her, but some important names remained. the photo shoot with Princes Harry and Andrew.
Although her appearance at the event had been in doubt after facing mobility issues, the help of a cane and a health note over the past few weeks allowed the monarch to receive a greeting from the troops mounted from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, under the fluttering royal banner.
Andrew gives positive for Covid
It has been seen that Prince Andrew has suffered Covid and will also lose his religious service.
The scandal affecting the prince had already been on the sidelines of most events.
Buckingham Palace on Thursday confirmed the Duke of York’s positive result.
“After a routine test, the duke has tested positive for Covid and will no longer be attending tomorrow’s service,” a palace spokesman said.
Andrew was last seen riding, apparently in good health, on Wednesday near Windsor Castle, according to Sky News UK.
It is also understood that he saw the queen in the last days. This could be a concern considering the full weekend of activities the queen has planned and her frail health.
The BBC said Andrew had undergone regular tests and had not seen the queen since he tested positive.