Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Benjamin Lynch

Queen's health now as she pulls out of Royal garden party and travels to Scotland

The Queen's recent health concerns has a lot of people wondering about the well-being of Britain's longest-reigning monarch, who has just travelled to Scotland as part of Holyrood Week.

She has been accompanied by her youngest son, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and his wife, Sophie, for the Ceremony of the Keys.

However, she will not be attending the royal garden party as part of the festivities, once again raising concerns as she continues to make fewer public appearances.

This was also the case at the Platinum Jubilee, where she only officially attended the The Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral.

However, she did step out on Buckingham Palace's balcony at the end of the long weekend, reassuring the nation of her health.

Now, on her train journey up through Britain, her arrival has put many at ease as she is seen to be more mobile than previously thought.

Are there concerns for the Queen's health?

The Queen was supported by Prince Andrew at the memorial for Prince Philip, a controversial move (Richard Pohle/Pool via REUTERS)

The UK's longest-reigning monarch is celebrated her Platinum Jubilee this year, but is increasingly limited in the events as she missed the Epsom Derby on June 4.

The derby is one of a number of events on the calendar the Queen usually attends, as well as the Royal Ascot earlier this month, but fellow horse expert Princess Anne was more than capable of stepping into her mother's shoes for the event.

There have also been some more concerns over her health after recent scares. She recently marked one year since the death of her husband Prince Philip on April 9, 2021. The two were married for 73 years before Philip died aged 99.

At his memorial, the Queen was seen controversially supported down the aisle by Prince Andrew.

Andrew's place at the memorial left concerns about the health of the Queen, who needed assistance from her walking stick to get down the aisle of Westminster Abbey.

Before the recent reports about her mobility, the Queen tested positive for Covid in February, but only had "mild cold-like symptoms".

Over Easter, the Queen was unable to attend the Maundy Thursday service, nor the church service on Easter Sunday

Maundy is an important service as each year the monarch distributes her 'Maundy money', a tradition stretching back over 800 years.

She spent a night in hospital in October last year after undergoing medical checks and was forced to miss the Remembrance Sunday service in November with a strained back.

The Queen was seen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the jubilee, but is set to miss another event (AFP via Getty Images)

In the lead up to the memorial for Prince Philip, the Palace was taking things "day-by-day" in matters regarding the Queen's health and there have been claims she is using a wheelchair, though she has recently been seen using a walking stick.

However, during her latest trip to Scotland for Holyrood Week, she was seen leaving the Royal Train without assistance.

Footage showed her hopping off the train without the need for aid or the use of her walking stickm which she was also holding.

She is still set to miss the royal garden party though, but will be present for the historic Ceremony of the Keys.

Is the Queen performing full duties?

The Queen is performing as many duties as she and her doctors see fit (AFP via Getty Images)

After 70 years on the throne and at the age of 96, the Queen is continuing to perform duties, though is limited in what she can still do in terms of public appearances.

She managed to appear on the balcony alongside other working royals at Buckingham Palace, following Trooping the Colour and also lit a beacon on June 2.

The Queen also appeared in May to open the long-awaited Elizabeth line at Paddington station.

There has been a number of cancellations and she was forced to perform "light duties" when she was recovering from Covid, before resuming her planned schedule in March.

Much of her duties appear to be assessed on a case-by-case basis, with some waiting for an on-the-day decision.

She pulled out of the June 3 Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral, with palace officials saying she'd had "discomfort" from her gruelling first day of Jubilee celebrations.

Some events are far more important than others and it is at these the Queen's absence is most striking.

She was not present at the State Opening of Parliament this year and it was Prince Charles who read out the important Queen's Speech. Charles was joined by Prince William in an apparent showing of continuity for events like the State Opening.

Cancellations appear to be fairly normal for a person who is 96, and is still adjusting to life without her husband, who she was with for an incredible 73 years.

In March, the Queen made Windsor Castle her permanent home and will no longer use Buckingham Palace as a residence.

According to the Sunday Times, the move is because the palace is currently undergoing a refurbishment and it is no longer practical for the Queen to stay there, with the redo expected to be finished in 2027.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.