Queen's last minute withdrawal from public engagement today

[meditrina]

BBC story here

Prince Charles took her place at today's Order of the Bath service, on grounds tht HMQ could no longer cope with step stps in regalia. But the decision was only made last night, according to the Beeb, which seems very late on when these things are put in the day months in advance and the demands of the service are well known.

I hope it does not mean she is unwell, or that Prince Philip has taken a turn for the worse.

Probably just means she didn't want to miss an episode of neighbours or something ;)

I think her soap preference is more likely to be Emmerdale Farm, and she'd watch it in hand

She's probably done it scores of times before and has sensibly decided that it's just too much for her now.

That BBC article is a bit misleading. She didn't withdraw entirely, it was just the part of the ceremony on the actual steps where Prince Charles took over.

A more detailed article from The Telegraph here with pictures - including of the steps.

You have to read the story quite carefully to understand that she was AT the service but just dipped out of a BIT of it. So she's fine. Just has 88 year old knees.

Yes, I think some of the media (and I'm including that BBC article in the gutter on this one) are looking out for any slight change, just in case it's the one which proves to have greater significance. Not good reporting.

And presumably there's no reason to thing anything more generally amiss.

I wouldn't read too much in to it. Many, indeed most, 88 year olds would find steps a bit tiring or tricky. She has plenty of children & grandchildren to take her place so there would be no sense in her struggling .

My dh works at Buckingham palace.
There is no talk of anything being wrong.
He loves a gossip so he would have told me.

I feel sorry for both her and Prince Philip. They are remarkable, some people half their ages would struggle with their schedules. The media are like the grim reaper's PR always looking for a slight change.
I know they have very privileged lives in many ways but having people comment on you having a cold must be tiresome.

Thanks!

I am disappointed with BBC's angle on this.

Even with reduction in duties, it is amazing how much they do given their ages. (88 is an auspicious age - if Chinese - isn't it?)

Charles is no spring chicken either. I think healthy young Layabout Cambridge could help out more.

I was just thinking yesterday how terribly sad it will be when dies.

She was looking frail. It can't be easy for her, she has lead a very active life, very sporty and not a lot of bad health. You can see her posture in the past few years has become very bad and I gather the family are not very good with people who are ill, they apparenlty gave Princess Margaret a hard time for using a wheelchair when she burnt her feet.

Prince Charles is about 66 isn't he?

So retirement age for his cohort (though not for those still in their 40s who'll be going to 67).