The Queen, 95, to miss Commonwealth Day ceremony as she may find it ‘too taxing’

THE Queen will miss this Monday’s Commonwealth Day ceremony, Buckingham Palace announced last night.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will also be absent from the Westminster Abbey event after he tested positive for Covid.

Sources close to the Queen, 95, say concerns were raised that she may find it too taxing to spend an hour standing at the service.

Worries were also raised about her comfort on the 30-mile trip from Windsor to Central London.

The Queen — only recently over Covid — is said to “regret” missing the event.

The cancellation was not caused by any new illness or ailment.

Ingrid Seward, of Majesty Magazine, said: “The Queen is very good at taking advice and will hope to be fit and ready for the next event. No one would want to see her in discomfort.”

Buckingham Palace said the Queen had asked Prince Charles to represent her at Monday’s service.

She will continue with her other planned engagements next week.

Her Majesty returned to in-person events last Monday when she welcomed Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau to Windsor Castle.