The Queen will miss the Commonwealth Day ceremony as she may find it ‘too taxing’

The Queen will miss the Commonwealth Day Service on Monday over fears she will find it 'too taxing.'

• Worries were also raised about her comfort on the 30-mile trip from Windsor to Central London.
• Buckingham Palace said the Queen had asked Prince Charles to represent her at Monday’s service instead.
• This follows royal news that the service may have brought up sad memories for Her Majesty.

While Her Majesty has pulled out of Monday's service, she will continue with other planned engagements, including in-person Audiences, in the week ahead, the palace has confirmed.

The service at Westminster Abbey will be attended by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Princess Alexandra.

The Palace announced in a statement, “After discussing the arrangements with the Royal Household, The Queen has asked The Prince of Wales to represent Her Majesty at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on Monday.

“The Queen will continue with other planned engagements, including in person Audiences, in the week ahead.”

According to The Sun, sources close to the Queen say there were concerns that she may find it too taxing to spend an hour standing at the service. But the cancellation was not caused by any new illness or ailment.

Ingrid Seward, of Majesty Magazine, said of the decision, “The Queen is very good at taking advice and will hope to be fit and ready for the next event. No one would want to see her in discomfort.”

The cancellation may come as a blessing in disguise for the Queen - who recently battled COVID-19 - as the service could possibly have brought up sad memories, considering how much has changed since the 2020 service.

Last year’s service was canceled, though Her Majesty marked Commonwealth Day via a special broadcast instead. 

In 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended the service in what was their last official engagement. The couple “stepped back” as working royals weeks afterward and so this was the last time both Sussexes reunited with so many members of the Royal Family in public.

In light of losing Prince Harry and Meghan as senior members of the Royal Family and the rumors of a “rift”, the Commonwealth Day Service 2022 could have been a very poignant experience for the Queen. 

Not only would it have reminded her painfully of their absence and the last time they were all together, but it could also highlight just how much has changed since then.