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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jennifer Newton

Queen will hold 'more royal engagements' from her own living room, says expert

The Queen will hold more royal engagements from her living room with people coming to see her rather than the monarch travelling to see them, an expert has said.

The 95-year-old has suffered several bouts of ill health recently and is believed to be experiencing problems with her mobility.

At Prince Philip's memorial service at Westminster Abbey last week, her attendance was only confirmed hours before the event and she entered the Abbey using a walking stick.

And according to royal expert Camilla Tominey, "people are going to be coming to the Queen rather than her travelling to them".

She explained in a video for the Telegraph : "I think we're going to see more of the Queen in situ, and she might get to where she needs to be in private and then be photographed on the spot.

The Queen displays artefacts from a British craftwork company at Windsor Castle last month (Getty Images)

"That being said, we had some lovely photographs last week of an audience in her own living room. That's going to be happening more frequently now.

"When it comes to the royal diary, they've got to prioritise quality over quantity."

However, Camilla did add that there are some events that are "sacrosanct" in the royal diary, such as Prince Philip's memorial service - and for these, the Queen will do all she can to attend.

The Queen with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Windsor Castle last month (PA)

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Camilla explained: "Despite her own discomfort, she was determined to be there. Yes, concessions had to be made to ensure she was as comfortable as possible but it's these types of engagements she will move heaven and earth to attend.

"The monarchy is changing before our very eyes and arguably that's no bad thing.

The Queen at Prince Philip's memorial service last week (Getty Images)

"What we think is the Queen isn't having health problems but mobility problems - she can't stand for long periods or walk for long distances and therefore accommodations are being made.

"I think the palace are handling this very much as they did when the Duke of Edinburgh retired and he was able to say which engagements he did or didn't want to attend at very short notice."

In order for the Queen to attend her beloved husband's memorial service last week, military-style plans were put in place to sweep her there in the most comfortable way possible.

She was transported from Windsor Castle to Buckingham Palace in a Land Rover, where she then swapped into her State Bentley.

The Bentley then made the short journey to the Abbey escorted by police outriders and parked outside the Abbey's discreet Poets' Yard entrance, which has fewer steps and is a shorter distance to where she was to sit for the service.

Other special arrangements put in place for the Queen’s comfort were the service limited to 40 minutes and the monarch sitting in one of the Canada chairs but with an additional cushion.

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