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Fresh health concerns for Queen amid further royal event no-shows

The Queen will not attend a series of annual royal events over the next month, the palace has announced, sparking further concerns for the state of her health.

Massive change to Queen’s public appearances

The Queen will not be attending any of the annual garden parties this year, Buckingham Palace has announced.

No reason has yet been given as to why Her Majesty, 96, won’t greet guests as usual at the signature events in May and June, although she has recently had issues with her mobility, The Sun reports.

Four parties will take place in the coming weeks. The format of the events means that the Queen would have had to stand for more than an hour and move down the lines greeting visitors.

A statement read: “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.

“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.”

Queen Elizabeth II looked cheerful as she attended an audience at Windsor Castle on April 28, after a string of event cancellations. Picture: Dominic Lipinski – WPA Pool/Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II looked cheerful as she attended an audience at Windsor Castle on April 28, after a string of event cancellations. Picture: Dominic Lipinski – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Not Forgotten Association provides entertainment, leisure and recreation for the serving wounded, injured or sick and for ex-service men and women with disabilities.

The monarch welcomes more than 30,000 guests to the palace over the course of each year.

The parties are seen as an important way for her to meet people from across the country who have made a positive impact in their communities.

The events were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic.

However, it was announced they’ll make a return this year for the Jubilee.

It was last month claimed that the public must assume the Queen will not attend future events until confirmed by the Palace on the day.

The Queen’s last attendance at the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May 2019. Picture: Yui Mok – WPA Pool/Getty Images
The Queen’s last attendance at the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May 2019. Picture: Yui Mok – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Her Majesty’s presence at public engagements will be a bonus but not guaranteed under alleged new Palace plans following several health scares, including a brush with Covid, it’s understood.

The monarch has pulled out of several recent engagements at the last minute due to ongoing mobility issues, and it‘s understood aides are “pacing” her ahead of June’s Platinum celebrations.

Public events will take place throughout the year to honour the Queen’s decades-long reign — including a long four-day weekend in early June.

The Queen missed the Easter Sunday service in Windsor, despite usually making an appearance, and didn’t attend the Commonwealth Day ceremony due to concerns about her “comfort”.

Other members of the royal family, including Kate Middleton and Prince William, are expected to represent the Queen at garden parties. Picture: Dominic Lipinski – WPA Pool/Getty Images
Other members of the royal family, including Kate Middleton and Prince William, are expected to represent the Queen at garden parties. Picture: Dominic Lipinski – WPA Pool/Getty Images

She has been seen using a walking stick over the past six months and in February told a visitor at Windsor Castle: “As you can see, I can’t move.”

However, in late March she walked unaided at a memorial service for her late husband Prince Philip.

She also appeared to be refreshed and walking aid-free when she returned from a week-long birthday break in Sandringham.

The monarch looked well and happy when she was pictured at Windsor Castle last week.

And she has received a $107,000 golf buggy to help her get around and fulfil future engagements, while a wheelchair-friendly lift was fitted at her favourite Highlands cottage.

This story originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/royals/fresh-health-concerns-for-queen-amid-further-royal-event-noshows/news-story/bdcd46bd85773c2238b66fecb8529b1b