Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II will not attend the annual Commonwealth Day celebrations at Westminster Abbey in London on Monday, Buckingham Palace said on Saturday. The 95-year-old emperor was due to attend the grand ceremony on March 14, his first major personal engagement, since he tested positive for Covid-19 last month.
The palace did not give any specific reason for his absence, but it is not believed to be related to ill health and to avoid the journey from his home at Windsor Castle in Berkshire to London. His son and heir, Prince Charles, who was already joining the service, would represent the monarch instead.
“After discussing arrangements with the Royal Family, the Queen has asked the Prince of Wales to represent Her Majesty at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on Monday,” a Buckingham Palace statement said.
“The Queen will continue to host other planned events, including individual audiences, over the coming week,” the statement said.
The Queen will send a video message to the service, which is composed of music, poetry and speeches, as a celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations family. The Westminster Abbey service will focus this year on the Platinum Jubilee of the Queen’s reign and will be addressed by John Sentamu, the former Archbishop of York.
Guests will include British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Commonwealth Secretary General Lady Patricia Scotland, High Commissioners, ambassadors, senior politicians and dignitaries from Britain and the Commonwealth, faith leaders and more than 600 school children and youth.
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, members of the Royal Family expected to attend, will not be at service next week after the Duke tested positive for COVID-19.
The annual Commonwealth service, often referred to as one of the Queen’s favourites, was the only one missed in 2013 due to gastroenteritis, one of two major events marked for this month’s royal calendar, the other being her There was a special service of thanksgiving for the late husband. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on March 29.
It has emerged that the Queen’s grandson Prince Harry will not be traveling from the US as expected.