The Queen’s health is in question again, as news comes in that her traditional welcome at Balmoral Castle has been axed.
The 96-year-old monarch was set to attend the ceremony in Scotland today (Monday) before it was cancelled and replaced with a ‘smaller, private event’. Aside from the pandemic, it is the first time Her Majesty has opted out of greeting the public at the gates in decades.
Reportedly, Queen Elizabeth was still intending to be at the event until just days ago.
READ MORE - The Queen arrives in Scotland ahead of traditional Balmoral summer break
A royal source said: “The traditional welcome to Balmoral is normally cemented in the Queen’s calendar and something Her Majesty really enjoys, being able to greet locals who travel to see her.
“It’s a bitter disappointment the ceremony will not take place in its traditional form.”
Other sources suggested the change in plans is ‘very much a sign of things to come’. Buckingham Palace also insisted that the private ceremony was: “In line with adapting Her Majesty’s schedule for her comfort.”
Last year, Her Majesty enjoyed a performance from The Pipes and Drums of The Royal Regiment of Scotland and met with the mascot of the regiment - Shetland Pony Lance Corporal Cruachan IV.
This year, she’ll be attending a private occasion on the Balmoral lawns within the walls of the castle – without TV cameras, photographers or reporters. Earlier in the year, she attended two major events during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Her Majesty was forced to miss out on two other events, including a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral and the Epsom Derby due to tiredness.
This past weekend, a moving van was spotted moving furniture from Windsor to Balmoral Castle. The Queen is anticipated to stay in the area more often, with a wheelchair-friendly list fitted ahead of her arrival.
Royal sources say Her Majesty will head back to England to invite her 15th Prime Minister to form a government when Boris Johnson quits on September 6, just after the Highland Games on September 3 - which the Queen has never missed during her reign.
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