Queen to make rare public appearance after pulling out of garden parties

The Queen has not made an in-person public appearance since the memorial service for Prince Philip as palace aides ‘pace’ the monarch ahead of her Jubilee celebrations.

The Queen is set to make a rare public appearance next week after pulling out of the royal garden party season in her platinum jubilee year.

Her Majesty is due to attend the state opening of Parliament and set out the government’s proposed legislation on Tuesday.

However, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson told Hello! that although she plans to attend the event, a final decision will not be known until the day.

Buckingham Palace Garden Party. The Queen Meeting Guests. Gentlemen Ushers Wait To Make The Introductions. Picture: Getty Images.

The news comes as shortly after it was confirmed that the monarch would be missing all of the palace garden parties.

Buckingham Palace did not give a reason why she won’t attend the parties in May and June, but they are the latest in a series of events the 96-year-old has stepped away from amid ailing health and mobility issues.

While she was recently pictured at official events without her walking cane, The Sun reported that the four garden parties would require the Queen to stand for more than an hour as she walks to greet guests.

“Her Majesty The Queen will be represented by other members of the Royal Family at this year’s Garden Parties, with details on attendance to be confirmed in due course,” a palace statement said.

The Queen appears via videolink to receive High Commissioner for Saint Lucia Anthony Severin during her most recent official event on May 5. Picture: AFP.

More than 30,000 guests visit the palaces every year, and the garden parties are seen as a way for her to meet people from across the country that travel to her estates for the event.

The last garden parties held were in 2019, but were announced to return this year for the Jubilee after being cancelled by the Covid pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

They are due to be held at Buckingham Palace on May 11, 18 and 25, and at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on June 25.

“The Queen has given permission for the Not Forgotten Association Annual Garden Party to be hosted by the Princess Royal, as the charity’s patron, in the Buckingham Palace Garden on Thursday, May 12.”

The palace announced the garden party dates as well as the Queen’s absence on the same day. It came after warnings last month that she would not be attending upcoming events unless the Palace confirmed her presence on the day.

Over Easter, she cancelled her appearance at one of the most important fixtures on the Royal calendar, “The Queen’s Mundy money”, for only the fifth time in her 25-year reign.

Palace aides are understood to be “pacing” the Monarch before her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.

The Queen was last seen in public during the memorial service for her last husband, Prince Philip, on March 29.

The Queen leaves the memorial for her late husband in her last in-person event. Picture: AFP.