Queen tells of grief in pandemic in message read by Earl of Wessex
The Queen has described the coronavirus pandemic as a period "of anxiety, of grief, and of weariness", in an address delivered to the Church of England's national assembly by the Earl of Wessex.
After missing the Remembrance Sunday service at the weekend, the Queen, whose husband the duke of edinburgh died seven months ago, was due to appear in person at the Synod, but her appearance was cancelled last week.
Edward, who read the 95- year old head of state' s speech to bishops and clergy at Church House, the Westminster headquarters of the Church of England, praised the institution for offering "hope" during the pandemic.
Before the speech, he said the Queen sends her "sincere and deep apologies that she cannot be here today".
Edward added: "I think you probably understand why, and she regrets that deeply."
In the message the earl read on his mother's behalf, the Queen, who has been under doctors' orders to rest for nearly a month, made reference to her late husband, saying" none of us can slow the passage of time".
"It is hard to believe that it is over 50 years since Prince Philip and I attended the very first meeting of the General Synod," her address said.
"None of us can slow the passageof time; and while we often focus on all that has changed in the intervening years, much remains unchanged, including the Gospel of Christ and his teachings."
Edward added on the Queen's behalf: "Of course, in our richly diverse modern society, the well-being of the nation depends on the contribution of people of all faiths, and of none.
"But for people of faith, the last few years have been particularly hard, with unprecedentedrestrictions in accessing the comfort andre assurance of public worship.
"For many, it has been a time of anxiety, of grief, and of weariness.
"Yet the Gospel has brought hope, as it has done throughoutthe ages; and the church has adapted and continued its ministry,often in new ways, such as digital forms of worship."
It came after Edward, the Queen' s youngest son, attended an opening service at nearby Westminster Abbey, where the Archbishop of canterbury lead a number of prayers.
It is the first time the monarch, who is Supreme Governor of the church, has missed her five-yearly visit to the synod in its 51-year history.
The General Synod is the national assembly of the Church of england which passes legislation.
It was the first full in-person meeting of Synod since February2020 before the corona virus pandemic.
The 11th Synod was elected earlier this autumn for a fiveyear term, and will meet two or three times a year.
Members will discuss national issues including the gap between rich and poor in the UK as well as work to develop a new strategy for the Church of England, as part of the agenda in two days of speeches and debates.
Saturday marks the Queen and Philip's first wedding anniversary to pass since he died in April aged 99.
The Queen and the duke would have celebrated 74 years of marriage.