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Queen Elizabeth Misses Remembrance Day Event on Sunday

Queen Elizabeth II has missed a remembrance service to commemorate Britain’s war dead after she sprained her back, Buckingham Palace said in a statement Sunday.

The latest health setback for Elizabeth, the U.K.’s longest-reigning monarch, meant she was forced to postpone what had been set to be her first public appearance in more than three weeks after her brief hospital stay for an unspecified illness not related to Covid-19.

The service is one of the most important events on the 95-year-old monarch’s calendar, and was meant to be her first public appearance after taking a few weeks off to rest under doctor’s orders.

Queen Elizabeth Misses Remembrance Day Event on Sunday

The queen was “disappointed” to miss the service — one of her most important annual engagements — the statement said.

A wreath will still be laid at the Cenotaph, the U.K.’s national war memorial in Westminster, on her behalf by her son Prince Charles, the palace said.

The queen, who served in World War II as an army driver and mechanic, attaches great importance to Remembrance Sunday, a solemn ceremony to remember the sacrifices made by fallen servicemen and women. The national service is traditionally marked by the wearing of poppies and two minutes of silence observed at 11 a.m.

It is preceded by Remembrance or Armistice Day on Nov. 11, which marks the end of World War I.

The queen spent a night in a London hospital last month after being admitted for medical tests. It was her first such stay in eight years. On Oct. 29, the palace said she had been told by doctors to rest for two weeks and only take on light duties.

She canceled plans to attend the U.N. climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, but sent a video message.

But officials stressed at the time that “it remains the queen’s firm intention” to be present for the national Remembrance Sunday service. On Thursday, Buckingham Palace said the monarch planned to watch the ceremony at the Cenotaph war memorial in central London from a balcony, as she has for several years.

 

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