Buckingham palace warns Queen unlikely to go to events

PEOPLE must start assuming Queen Elizabeth will not attend public events, a Buckingham Palace source has said.

In recent months, Buckingham Palace has been forced to make several last-minute announcements that Queen Elizabeth has ‘regretfully’ pulled out of engagements due to mobility issues.

Under a new strategy, aides will now confirm her attendance only on the day of an event.

‘The assumption must now be that the Queen will not be present at events,’ the source said.

‘If Her Majesty does attend, it will be decided on the day and she will be accompanied by another member of the royal family.’

During her 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth’s attendance at most engagements has been planned for months and often announced publicly weeks in advance.

But the presence of the British monarch – who marks her 96th birthday on Thursday – will now be a bonus, rather than guaranteed.

The decision means an even greater role for Prince Charles.