Buckingham Palace said Britain’s Queen Elizabeth has canceled her planned participation in the United Nations climate conference, and agreed with doctors’ advice to rest.
The 95-year-old monarch has decided «with regret» that she will no longer travel to Glasgow for the reception on 1 November – a move that would dash the hopes of the Conservative government, which hosts the event. The Climate Conference takes place from October 31 to November 12.
«Her Majesty the Queen is disappointed not to attend the reception but will address the assembled delegates via a recorded video message,» the palace said.
The news came after the Queen held virtual audiences on Tuesday at Windsor Castle – her first work commitments since it was revealed her doctors ordered her to rest last week.
The 95-year-old Queen welcomed the ambassador of the Republic of Korea during her first tech-assisted appearance since she was taken to King Edward VII Hospital in London on October 20 for «preliminary investigations». She returned home to Windsor Castle at lunchtime the next day.
The Queen underwent medical tests after canceling a trip to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Northern Ireland last week, and the palace said she «reluctantly» accepted the advice to rest for a few days. It was not about Covid-19.
A respite was followed by a tumultuous few days for the Queen as she met diplomats, had a reception at Windsor Castle for world business leaders and attended horse races at Ascot.
Her hospital visit last week came amid public concern about Queen Elizabeth’s health. Days earlier, she was seen using a walking stick at the Westminster Abbey Service marking the centenary of the Royal British Legion, an armed forces charity. Although she used a cane in 2003, she underwent knee surgery.
The Queen’s husband, Prince Philip, died in April 2021 at the age of 99. Although Elizabeth has enjoyed good health throughout her life, she is Britain’s longest-lived and longest-reigning monarch. Next year, she will celebrate her platinum jubilee – 70 years on the throne.