The Queen is determined to beat back pain and be in church for royal christening

The Queen has been battling ill health in recent weeks, but she has made a surprise decision to step back into the limelight for a historic occasion.

She may be battling back pain, but the Queen is determined to be in church on Sunday when her granddaughters Eugenie and Zara jointly christen their babies.

There has been renewed concern about the health of the 95-year-old, who was forced to pull out of Remembrance Sunday duty after a back sprain, and after she spent a night in hospital last month for an unspecified condition.

But she has told palace staff she is determined to be present when the second cousins are baptised at All Saints Chapel in Great Windsor Park, Berkshire.

The monarch will make a final decision after taking advice from her personal doctor on the day.

Queen Elizabeth is determined to attend the christening.

Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie with their son August Philip Hawke Brooksbank.

Others present will include Beatrice’s dad Prince Andrew, Prince William and wife Kate.

A royal source told the Sun : “Her Majesty is very keen to be there as she knows how important this is for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“It’s set to be a heartwarming family occasion and a time of real celebration after what has been some challenging times for certain royals of late, including the Queen herself.

“She is keen to attend such a wonderful event after the great personal disappointment of missing last Sunday’s Remembrance events.”

Commentator Penny Junor said The Queen attending would send a signal to the world “she is not ready to leave us yet”.

“She’s very spiritual, a christening is a very important occasion for the head of the Church of England and being there will be of great importance to her.

The Queen with Zara Phillips and her husband former England rugby captain Mike Tindall, who are having their son Lucas christened

“She’s very fond of Zara and Mike, and Eugenie too,” she told The Sun.

In what is thought to be a royal first, the children will be baptised together.

Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank’s son August was born in February and was meant to be christened in July before the event was cancelled due to the Covid outbreak.

He will be baptised alongside Lucas Philip, the son of Mike and Zara Tindall, born in March.

It is not yet clear which baby, if either of them, will wear the traditional royal christening gown.

Fresh holy water from Prince Charles’s trip to Jordan will be used during the service.

The ceremony will be held at the private Grade-II listed church which forms part of the Royal Lodge house where Prince Andrew and ex-wife Fergie live.