“His Majesty reluctantly decided that he would not attend”
Queen Elizabeth II experienced “discomfort” this Thursday during her jubilee parade, AFP reported, citing a statement from Buckingham Palace.
As such, the monarch will miss out on Friday’s scheduled Thanksgiving Mass at St. Paul’s Cathedral, in which she will give thanks and reflect on her 70-year reign. This event takes place precisely in the context of the celebration platinum anniversary.
“Given the schedule and activity required to attend this Friday’s Platinum Jubilee Mass at St Paul’s Cathedral, Her Majesty has decided with great reluctance that she will not be attending,” the note reads.
In the same statement, Buckingham Palace said that Queen Elizabeth II “really enjoyed the anniversary parade and overflight of British Air Force aircraft“.
In addition, it also states that the monarch will be participating in a British tradition “which includes lighting ‘fires’.” [com fogo] this Thursday evening at Windsor Castle”, taking the opportunity to “thank everyone who made this Thursday an unforgettable occasion”.
This isn’t the first time the 96-year-old queen has missed events for health reasons. Last month, Prince Carlos replaced her mother for the first time at the official opening of the British parliamentary year.
This is the moment when the head of state/monarch/sovereign announces the main directions of the program of the English government in a speech addressed to the two houses of parliament (Lords and Commons). Isabelle II has been suffering from mobility problems for several months now.