Fears for the Queen's health as she fails to attend major royal event

There are health concerns for Queen Elizabeth II after Buckingham Palace announced she will be unable to attend the State Opening of Parliament and the reading of the Queen's speech.

Due to her ongoing mobility issues, the Queen will miss the event for the first time in 59 years. Buckingham Palace released a statement saying that Prince Charles will step in to deliver the Queen's speech on her behalf.

“The Queen continues to experience episodic mobility problems, and in consultation with her doctors has reluctantly decided that she will not attend the State Opening of Parliament tomorrow,” it said.

“At Her Majesty’s request, and with the agreement of the relevant authorities, The Prince of Wales will read The Queen’s speech on Her Majesty’s behalf, with The Duke of Cambridge also in attendance.”

The Queen, 96, has pulled out from a number of events over the past few months due to her mobility issues, but had hoped to appear at the ceremony.

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This follows a string of events missed over Easter, and it has been announced that she will no longer attend any of her garden parties. Instead, other members of her family will be stepping in to take her place.

There are now fears that the monarch will miss other events coming up, with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee starting on June 2.

For the celebration, there are four days of events planned including a pageant through London and a concert outside Buckingham Palace.

The Queen will decide closer to the time which events she will be attending, and this may not be announced until the day itself.

A spokesperson confirmed this, saying: “The Queen is looking forward to the weekend and will be taking part in the celebrations but her presence will not be confirmed until much nearer the time or even on the day itself.”

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