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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Douglas Patient

Queen could miss Prince Philip memorial service as she ‘rules out’ using wheelchair

The Queen could pull out of a memorial service for her late beloved husband Prince Philip as she reportedly rules out using a wheelchair, it is claimed.

Her Majesty is hoping to be able to attend the event with her walking stick at Westminster Abbey on March 29.

But this comes after she was announced not fit enough to attend Monday's Commonwealth Service at the same venue.

Buckingham Palace did not give a specific reason for her planned absence from the event.

It is being reported that her aides said the Queen was so frail she is unable to even walk her beloved corgis.

Queen Elizabeth II has owned more than 30 corgis in her lifetime but she has not taken her dogs for a walk at Windsor Castle for six months.

The Queen has reportedly rules out using a wheelchair (AFP via Getty Images)

Now The Mail on Sunday understands she has ruled out the option of using a wheelchair at this stage and remains determined to continue to walk for as long as possible.

The Queen, who turns 96 next month and has recently recovered from Covid, was last week moving around Windsor Castle without a walking stick and is not suffering from a new illness.

But she still made the “regretful” decision late on Friday to pull out of the annual Commonwealth Service, which is usually a highlight in her calendar.

The Queen could pull out of a memorial service for her late beloved husband Prince Philip (Tim Graham/Getty Images)

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “The Queen has asked the Prince of Wales to represent Her Majesty at the Commonwealth service at Westminster Abbey.”

Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, said she believed the Queen would be “determined” to make the Thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey dedicated to her late husband Prince Philip on March 29.

Ms Seward said: “It would have been a huge wrench to miss the Commonwealth Day service but she is facing a dilemma these days where she must choose her engagements wisely.

The Queen, who turns 96 next month, has recently recovered from Covid (Getty Images)

"She will be very determined to make the Duke of Edinburgh’s Thanksgiving service later this month, which will be of incredible importance to her considering his funeral was so scaled back.

“Her Majesty, I believe, is very like her mother, who was reluctant to use a wheelchair, so in her advancing years it’s about projecting herself as much as possible for the big occasions."

The Queen tested positive for Covid on February 20 and Buckingham Palace said at the time she was experiencing “mild cold-like symptoms”.

She last met a group of people in public on February 5 (Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

Last month, she acknowledged her frail condition for the first time during a royal engagement at Windsor Castle.

The Queen told visiting military officials: “As you can see, I can’t move.”

She last met a group of people in public on February 5.

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