Queen Elizabeth’s heartbreaking new message as concerns continue over her health

The Queen has delivered a poignant warning after pulling out of another royal engagement, amid growing concerns over her health.

The Queen has warned that “none of us can slow the passage of time” in a speech delivered by the Earl of Wessex, after the monarch failed to address the Church of England’s national assembly for the first time in her 69-year reign.

After missing the Remembrance Sunday service at the weekend due to a sprained back, the Queen was due to appear in person at Church House, the Westminster headquarters of the Synod, but her appearance was cancelled over health concerns.

In an address read by her son Prince Edward, the Queen said: “It is hard to believe that it is over 50 years since Prince Philip and I attended the very first meeting of the General Synod”.

The Queen has missed the opening session of the 11th General Synod of the Church of England. Picture: Toby Melville/AFP

“None of us can slow the passage of time, and while we often focus on all that has changed in the intervening years, much remains unchanged, including the Gospel of Christ and his teachings.”

It is the first time the monarch, who is Supreme Governor of the church, has missed her five-yearly visit to the Synod in its 51-year history.

The General Synod is the national assembly of the Church of England which passes legislation.

Prince Charles visited the baptism site of al-Maghtas, where Jesus is believed to have been baptised by John the Baptist. Picture: AFP

Prince Edward told the General Synod “you probably understand why” the Queen was not present to deliver her address.

Edward, addressing the Church of England’s national assembly on behalf of his mother in Westminster on Tuesday, said the Queen sends her “sincere and deep apologies that she cannot be here today”.

He added: “I think you probably understand why, and she regrets that deeply.”

In the speech, the Queen also described the coronavirus pandemic as a period “of anxiety, of grief, and of weariness”.

Camilla accompanied Prince Charles on the trip to Jordan. Picture: Getty Images

Speaking on his mother’s behalf, Prince Edward said: “Of course, in our richly diverse modern society, the wellbeing of the nation depends on the contribution of people of all faiths, and of none.

“But for people of faith, the last few years have been particularly hard, with unprecedented restrictions in accessing the comfort and reassurance of public worship.

“For many, it has been a time of anxiety, of grief, and of weariness.

“Yet the Gospel has brought hope, as it has done throughout the ages; and the Church has adapted and continued its ministry, often in new ways, such as digital forms of worship.”

The trip to Jordan is part of four-day trip in the region. Picture: AFP

It comes as the Queen gave Prince Charles her blessing to continue with his royal tour of the Middle East despite her own health concerns.

According to The Sun, the heir apparent, reportedly spoke to the Queen in a “touching” phone call to make sure she was healing from her back injury.

The Prince of Wales was reassured that he and Camilla were all clear to jet off on the first post-Covid royal venture.

The couple kicked off their four-day trip to Jordan and Egypt on Tuesday local time as the Queen remained at Windsor Castle recovering from a back injury.

The Queen remains on “light duties” but royal watchers are worried as she has now cancelled four public engagements in a month.

The Jordan visit marks the kingdom’s centenary year. Picture: Getty Images

Charles spoke to his mum on the phone — with an insider saying: “The trip to Jordan and Egypt is incredibly important for the UK. Equally, it was important that Charles got some reassurance that everything was OK.”

The Jordan visit marks the kingdom’s centenary year and is said to showcase its “strong bilateral relations” with Britain. The visit will focus on addressing the climate crisis, heritage preservation and girls’ education.

Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall started their visit in the capital Amman and were welcomed by King Abdullah and Queen Rania.

The couple will also visit the Pyramids in Egypt.

Prince Charles, who turned 73 on Sunday, is filling in on more official engagements such as investitures, duties the Queen would usually have done.

But it is expected the monarch will take part in a number of audiences with dignitaries this week.

– with The Sun

Originally published as Queen Elizabeth’s heartbreaking new message as concerns continue over her health