Queen Elizabeth II Scraps Planned Visit to Northern Ireland Following Doctors’ Advice
10:07 GMT 20.10.2021 (Updated: 15:16 GMT 28.05.2023)
© AFP 2023 / TOLGA AKMEN
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The 95-year-old monarch was meant to travel to the area on Wednesday for a two-day trip. According to local media, she was due to attend a church service to commemorate the centenary of the foundation of Northern Ireland as well as to participate in a series of community engagements.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has scrapped a planned visit to Northern Ireland after doctors advised her to rest for the next few days, Buckingham Palace has said without elaborating further on the monarch's health. A spokesperson for the Palace said the Queen "has reluctantly accepted medical advice".
"Her Majesty is in good spirits and is disappointed that she will no longer be able to visit Northern Ireland, where she had been due to undertake a series of engagements today and tomorrow. The Queen sends her warmest good wishes to the people of Northern Ireland, and looks forward to visiting in the future", the spokesperson said.
Local media outlets write that the decision to scrap the trip is not related to the situation with COVID in Britain. According to government data, on 19 October, the UK recorded over 43,000 cases.
On Tuesday, the 95-year-old monarch hosted a reception at Windsor Castle held as part of the Global Investment Summit. Among the guests was Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and US climate envoy John Kerry.
It is unclear whether the medical advice will prevent the monarch from attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will be held from 31 October to 12 November in Glasgow.
The development comes several days after the Queen was seen using a walking stick during a service to mark the centenary of the Royal British Legion. Local media write that this was the first time the Queen had used a cane at a major public event.
It is unclear whether the medical advice will prevent the monarch from attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will be held from 31 October to 12 November in Glasgow.
The development comes several days after the Queen was seen using a walking stick during a service to mark the centenary of the Royal British Legion. Local media write that this was the first time the Queen had used a cane at a major public event.
Last week, it became known that doctors have reportedly advised the monarch against drinking alcohol due to age-related health concerns.
The planned trip to Northern Ireland was the first in years. She last visited the area in 2016 with her late husband Prince Philip.
