It looks like someone very important will be missing from this year’s Remembrance Sunday service in the UK.
The Queen will be passing her royal duties on to her son, Prince Charles, the Duke of Wales.
Elizabeth II typically lays a wreath at the Cenotaph each year, but this will be the first time in recent history that she isn’t involved in the ceremony.
In fact, she’s such a big part of the annual festivities that she has only missed the event six times.
Her Majesty was pregnant with Prince Andrew in 1959 and with Prince Edward in 1963, so was unable to attend. Her hectic tour schedule has also meant that she’s missed four other Remembrance Sundays due to being overseas.
It won’t be the first time Prince Charles has filled in for his mum. He laid a wreath back in 1983 while the Queen was on a royal tour of Kenya.
This time, however, her Majesty will be watching on from a nearby balcony with Prince Philip.
Richard Palmer, royal correspondent for the Daily Express, confirmed the news on Twitter: “The Queen and Duke of Edinburg will view this year’s Remembrance service at the Cenotaph from a balcony, Buckingham Palace says.”
At 96 years old, Prince Philip retired from most royal duties back in August, but insisted he still wanted to be part of the significant day that commemorates the end of the First World War.
The news has sparked concern that the Queen will soon be following suit, given that the Remembrance Sunday service is usually one of the biggest days in her calendar.
Many took to social media to share their thoughts on the news, with most supporting the idea that the Queen should step down from some duties.
One Twitter user wrote: “Won’t be accepting criticism of the Queen & Remembrance Sunday. She has served us well, if she feels it’s time to hand some stuff over, fine.”
Another said: “So the Queen has decided not to physically lay a wreath at the Cenotaph this year. Let’s not forget that she has done it for 70 years.”
A third added: “Done her bit. Time for the younger ones to help out.”
It’s not the first time her Majesty has withdrawn from public events in recent times.
Last December, she was forced to cancel her traditional Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve church services due to a severe cold.
Despite stepping down from the Remembrance Sunday ceremony, the Queen is still expected to make an appearance at the annual Royal Festival of Remembrance on the Saturday at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall.