Buckingham Palace has announced that Queen Elizabeth II will not attend the opening of the British Parliament’s work on Tuesday (10), because she has had mobility problems. According to the monarchy, Prince Charles, first in the line of succession, will fulfill the agenda.
The 96-year-old queen has canceled appointments and made few public appearances since she spent a night in hospital in October for reasons not yet fully understood — at the time, the monarchy spoke of carrying out tests. Many meetings since then have been held virtually.
“The Queen continues to have episodic mobility problems, and after consulting with her doctors she has reluctantly decided that she will not attend the opening of Parliament’s proceedings,” the official statement said. “At His Majesty’s request, and with the consent of the authorities, the Prince of Wales [Charles] will read the Queen’s speech on her behalf, and the Duke of Cambridge [prÃncipe William] will also be present.”
Buckingham Palace did not provide further details on Elizabeth’s health. According to sources from the Reuters news agency, the decision not to go to Parliament was taken on Monday (9).
The state of Elizabeth, who turns 70 years old in 2022, has aroused more concern since the night she spent in hospital eight months ago — her first admission since 2013. At the time, the Queen was told to cancel participation in public events. to rest. Even so, she was seen driving alone around her property at Windsor Castle, against a doctor’s recommendation of forced bed rest for two weeks.
Elizabeth II resumed her public engagement schedule more than three months later, on February 5, the eve of her Platinum Jubilee, when she met charity workers at Sandringham House and cut a celebratory cake.
In February, the diagnosis of Covid-19 again put the queen’s schedule on hold for about ten days. According to Buckingham Palace, Elizabeth had only mild symptoms of the disease. In the announcement of the diagnosis, the forecast was that the head of the crown would keep light appointments, but it was necessary to postpone them as the symptoms persisted.
In February, ten days before the Queen’s announcement, Prince Charles, 73, had been diagnosed with Covid-19 for the second time. His wife, Camilla Parker-Bowles, 74, also contracted the virus, according to an announcement made by Clarence House, the prince’s official residence, a few days later. Charles was with his mother two days before he found out about the reinfection.
In June, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Elizabeth II on the throne, four days of national celebrations are planned.
