Six-foot privacy screens, a helicopter and a football tunnel could all be used in a military-style operation to get the Queen to Prince Philip 's memorial while protecting her privacy, it is reported.
The 95-year-old monarch is said to be determined to attend the memorial service of thanksgiving for her late husband, who died aged 99 in April, despite the event at Westminster Abbey coming at a time when she has of late been forced to pull out of several engagements.
One of them was Monday's Commonwealth Day service, also at the Abbey, with the decision to cancel her appearance understood to be related to her "comfort" travelling the 26-mile journey from Windsor Castle to London and sitting through the event, rather than a specific illness.
The 95-year-old monarch has faced increasing issues with her mobility in recent months, leaving her “on certain days” struggling to get about, according to palace sources.
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And now the Sun reports Buckingham Palace officials are thought to be looking at a wide range of operations for getting her to the Abbey - and prevent photographers getting a picture.
Sources told how senior palace aides are looking at having the Queen flown from Windsor Castle to Buckingham Palace by helicopter.
The trip would take just 15 minute by chopper, and staff would then drive the monarch the short distance from the Palace to the Abbey, sealing off the entirety of Dean's Yard to prevent anyone getting near before parking the car by a side door.
Despite having just last week been on her feet for face-to-face engagements at Windsor, it is reported her closest aides are concerned at the prospect of Her Majesty walking the 100 yards from the Abbey entrance to her seat.
Sources told the Sun that options including six-foot privacy screens or a football-style tunnel are being looked at, to block photographers from trying to capture a shot of the Queen exiting the car.
The Queen is thought to be determined to continue walking and is understood to have dismissed the idea of using a wheelchair.
But it is reported the option has been considered by her aides so she can move around the Abbey in comfort - with the aging royal being brought to Poets' Corner before a short walk to her seat in the Sanctuary.
Ingrid Seward, who is editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, told the paper: “Understandably, the Queen doesn’t want to be seen in a wheelchair.
“But as the Head of State and someone who wants to be seen and needs to be seen, she might concede to a wheelchair. The best way of doing that is to make sure there are no photographs taken."
She added: “She would really hate to miss it. It is a headache for her staff as it would be difficult for anyone of her age who suffers mobility problems. It would be a painful process for her.”
Another option being considered is having the Queen ready at her seat before the rest of the audience arrives for the memorial ceremony, eschewing for the sake of her comfort the tradition of having the monarch arrive last.
A source told the Sun that t he Queen has told her staff she does not want to use a wheelchair.
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However, she has agreed to be given assistance in order to enter through the Abbey's side entrance quick enough.
There, they said, she will be able to exit the car in prive and using her walking stick, while " there are efforts being made to keep photographers away."
They add that, "if she needs the wheelchair, then that must be done behind screens or once she is in the side entrance."
Meanwhile TV broadcasters will be requested to be considerate in their coverage.
The source added that aides believe this is to be the only way the Queen can get into the Abbey and are determined the process be out of the public eye.
