ROYAL REST
Queen, 95, cancels Northern Ireland trip on medical advice to rest for few days but is in ‘good spirits’, Palace says
THE Queen has cancelled a trip to Northern Ireland and has "reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days", Buckingham Palace said today.
Her Majesty, 95, is said to be in "good spirits" but is disappointed not to be able to carry out the two-day trip, which was due to begin today.
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The monarch was set to visit Hillsborough, County Down today where she was scheduled to meet with locals and schoolkids after the village was officially named Royal Hillsborough.
She was also due to attend a church service in Armagh on Thursday to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland's formation.
But a Buckingham Palace spokesman said this morning: "The Queen has reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days.
"Her Majesty is 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 today and tomorrow.
"The Queen sends her warmest good wishes to the people of Northern Ireland, and looks forward to visiting in the future."
The monarch, who is resting at Windsor Castle, is still expected to attend events linked to the Cop26 climate change conference in Glasgow at the end of the month.
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Her decision to rest is understood not to be related to coronavirus.
The Queen is double-vaccinated, having been given her first jab by a household doctor at Windsor Castle on January 9 and her second at the end of March.
Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis tweeted: "Wishing Her Majesty The Queen all the very best as she takes a few days' rest.
"I look forward to meeting her in Northern Ireland in the future."
Her Majesty has appeared in fine spirits at recent events and despite carrying a walking stick for comfort last week, she gave a hilarious response as she turned down an Oldie of the Year award yesterday.
She also held two audiences via video link from Windsor Castle, greeting the Japanese ambassador Hajime Hayashi and the EU ambassador Joao de Almeida, followed by the investment summit in the evening.
It comes after the Queen's husband of 73 years the Duke of Edinburgh died in April at the age of 99.
The monarch has been pictured out and about ever since and last night welcomed billionaire business leaders and tech entrepreneurs to Windsor Castle for a reception following a Government investment summit.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates was among the guests invited to the Queen's residence in Berkshire after a conference in London aimed at encouraging foreign funding and showcasing British innovation.
Her Majesty was joined by the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge at the reception and she told how she was "proud" the UK is moving towards a sustainable future.
At the weekend, she enjoyed a day at the races at Ascot, and on Monday held a virtual audience with the new Governor-General of New Zealand.
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The Queen welcomes billionaire business leaders including Bill Gates to a reception following a Government Investment Summit at Windsor Castle