Queen Elizabeth II takes a few days off from royal duties

Queen Elizabeth II has cancelled a planned trip to Northern Ireland on medical grounds, Buckingham Palace said on Wednesday.

Royal officials said in a statement that the 95-year-old monarch “has reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days”.

Britain’s domestic Press Association news agency said the decision was not related to COVID-19 and that she was resting at Windsor Castle, west of London.

She was also expected to attend events at the upcoming UN climate change summit in Glasgow next month, it added.

The palace said she was “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” on Thursday and

Friday.

A church service to mark the 100th anniversary of the creation of Northern Ireland is due to take place in border town of Armagh on Thursday.

“The Queen sends her warmest good wishes to the people of Northern Ireland, and looks forward to visiting in the future,” the statement added.

The queen - Britain’s longestserving monarch - succeeded her father, king George VI, in 1952 and next year celebrates her Platinum Jubilee to mark 70 years on the throne.

She moved to Windsor in March last year as COVID-19 outbreak took hold.

The decision was made to selfisolate because of the increased risk of infection due to her age, although she has since been vaccinated.

She has resumed public engagements since the funeral of her

late husband, Prince Philip, after his death aged 99 in April, either alone or accompanied by other senior royals.

Last week, she delivered a speech at the opening of the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff, and at the weekend spent a day at Ascot racecourse.

On Monday, she held a virtual audience with the new governorgeneral of New Zealand, and on Tuesday received two ambassadors, also by video link.

On Tuesday evening, she hosted a reception at Windsor for international business leaders attending a government investment summit, including the billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates, and senior British ministers.

At Tuesday’s reception, the Queen, her eldest son and heir Prince Charles, and grandson Prince William, mingled with guests, none of whom were wearing face masks.