Queen cancels Remembrance Sunday appearance after spraining back

The royals looked emotional as they led a wreath laying ceremony at the London Cenotaph after the Queen was forced to cancel her appearance due to injury.

Prince Charles has laid a wreath on behalf of the Queen at London’s Cenotaph as England remembered those who died in past conflicts.

The Queen did not attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony after spraining her back.

The event would have been her first public appearance since resting on medical advice.

The palace has previously said it was her “firm intention” to attend Sunday’s Remembrance event, which brought together veterans, their families and political leaders.

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales leads Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex to the Cenotaph during the National Service Of Remembrance in London, United Kingdom. Picture: Getty Images

The Queen, who also pulled out of the separate Festival of Remembrance event on Saturday, is head of the Armed Forces and served as a mechanic during World War II.

Royal Navy officer Ben Shread said: “It would be nice if the boss was here.

“If there is a reason she is not here it must be a very serious one. We all wish her well”.

Charles, who marks his 73rd birthday on Sunday, placed the wreath on the Cenotaph on behalf of his mother since 2017.

The Duchess watched from a balcony alongside Camilla and Sophie Wessex.

This year’s event saw a return to pre-pandemic numbers of participating veterans and military, as well as onlookers.

Sunday’s Remembrance event kicked off with a national two minute silence held at 11am (10pm AEST), and similar ceremonies at war memorials were held across Britain.

Prince William lays a wreath during the service. Picture: Instagram

Other members of the royal family in attendance were the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, and the Princess Royal.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also placed wreaths.

The Queen, who is the head of the armed forces, decided at the last minute “with great regret” to not attend the service.

Prince Charles laid a wreath in place of his mother. Picture: Getty Images

Prince William joined Brits in commemorating their fallen soldiers. Picture: Getty Images

Hundreds and servicemen and women gathered near the Cenotaph and 10,000 war veterans marched past the memorial as large crowds watched, according to the BBC.

Also marching in the event were 21 LGBT+ veterans, including the first transgender officer to serve openly in the British Armed Forces.

Prince Charles led the nation in remembering Britain’s war heroes. Picture: Getty Images

Camilla and Kate. Picture: Getty Images

It comes as at a public event in Brixton, south London, on Thursday, Her Majesty’s eldest son and heir was asked by one onlooker: “Prince Charles, how is your mother?”

“She’s alright,” he replied.

UK British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (C), former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair (R) and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown (L) attend the annual National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall. Picture: Getty Images

Veterans from the Chelsea Pensioners cross Horse Guards Parade to attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony. Picture: Getty Images

Veteran of D-Day, 98 year old Joe Cattini (L) attends Horse Guards Parade for the Remembrance Sunday ceremony. Picture: Getty Images

Her Majesty said she was “disappointed” to miss the service in London’s Whitehall, in what would have been her first engagement since she was advised to take a month off royal duties for health reasons.

The monarch, 95, has been resting after spending a night in hospital on October 20 undergoing preliminary tests.

The Queen will not appear at the Cenotaph. Picture: AFP

Earlier, before the cancellation, Buckingham Palace said it was the Queen’s “firm intention” to attend the wreath-laying service after she missed several other events, including the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday.

The monarch had been set to watch from the balcony of a government building, as she has in previous years.

Originally published as Queen cancels Remembrance Sunday appearance after spraining back