Queen Elizabeth has been told by her doctors that she must rest for two weeks, cancelling all official visits and reducing her activity to some virtual appearances only.
Buckingham Palace released an official statement on Friday in the UK, before cancelling her high profile upcoming appearance at the Remembrance Day event on November 13. But sources say the Queen is holding firmly to her intention to attend the National Service of Remembrance Day on Sunday, November 14.
“Her Majesty’s doctors have advised that she should continue to rest for at least the next two weeks. The doctors have advised that Her Majesty can continue to undertake light, desk-based duties during this time, including some virtual audiences, but not to undertake any official visits,” the palace said in a statement on Friday, October 29.
“Her Majesty regrets that this means she will be unable to attend the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday, 13th November. However, it remains The Queen’s firm intention to be present for the National Service of Remembrance on Remembrance Sunday, on 14th November.”
The Queen has undertaken a number of virtual appearances in recent days, beamed from her home in Windsor Castle. She presented the Gold Medal for Poetry in 2020 to poet, David Constantine via zoom link, saying:
“I’m very glad to have the chance to see you, if only mechanically.”
She even cracked a smart remark after Constantine had received the award, saying: “I don’t know what you do with it. Do you put it in a cupboard?”
Constantine replied: “Somewhere safe! This evening I shall show it to the children and grandchildren, who are waiting in our house.”
The Queen appeared in good spirits.
The Queen’s diary had already been lightened for the week ahead after concern around her health saw the monarch spend one night in the hospital. A week ago she was told to ‘slow down’ by her doctors.
The palace announced earlier in the week that the Queen would not be travelling to Glasgow for a planned reception and appearance at the COP 26 summit. Instead, she will make a video address to the climate change conference, which she has already pre-recorded.
Several announcements over recent weeks have captured the mounting concerns for Queen Elizabeth’s health. Now 95 years old, the Queen had been advised to walk less, with several adjustments being made to the way in which she arrives and leaves events. She was seen using a walking stick while attending a Thanksgiving service commemorating the formation of the Royal British Legion. Prior to this event, she had not been seen with a cane since 2003, after undergoing knee surgery.
The Queen was also forced to cancel her trip to Northern Ireland this week after the last warnings from her doctors to slow down and walk less. The tour to Northern Ireland was due to depart on October 20.
Two weeks ago there were reports that she has been advised to cut back on her daily martinis too.
Some media outlets have been speculating that she has been ‘knackered’ from her enormous number of engagements, as well as a love of late-night TV.