Queen will not attend Glasgow climate summit following advice to rest
London: Queen Elizabeth II has cancelled her planned engagement at the UN climate conference, accepting doctors’ advice to rest, Buckingham Palace said.
The 95-year-old monarch has “regretfully†decided that she will no longer travel to Glasgow to attend the reception on November 1 â€" a move that will dash the hopes of Britain’s Conservative government, which is hosting the event. The climate conference runs from October 31 to November 12.
Queen Elizabeth II will deliver an address to delegates via a recorded video message, the palace said.Credit:AP
“Her Majesty is disappointed not to attend the reception but will deliver an address to the assembled delegates via a recorded video message,†the palace said on Wednesday AEDT.
A palace source said the decision not to attend had been taken as a “sensible precaution†and to let everyone know in advance. The 95-year-old queen remains in good spirits and wants COP26 to be a success, the source added.
“Following advice to rest, The Queen has been undertaking light duties at Windsor Castle,†Buckingham Palace said.
The news came after the sovereign held virtual audiences at Windsor Castle â€" the first work obligations since revelations that her doctors ordered her to rest last week.
The Queen greeted the ambassador of the Republic of Korea during her first technology-aided appearance since she was driven to London’s King Edward VII’s Hospital on October 20 for “preliminary investigationsâ€. She returned to her Windsor Castle home at lunchtime the next day.
The Queen underwent the medical tests after she cancelled a scheduled trip to mark 100 years since the creation of Northern Ireland, and the palace said she had “reluctantly†accepted advice to rest for a few days. The matter was not related to COVID-19.
AdvertisementThe period of rest followed a hectic few days for the monarch in which she held audiences with diplomats, had a reception at Windsor Castle for global business leaders and attended the horse races at Ascot.
Her hospital visit last week came amid general disquiet about Elizabeth’s health.
Days earlier, she was seen using a walking stick at a Westminster Abbey service marking the centenary of the Royal British Legion, an armed forces charity. Though she had used a cane in 2003, it was after she underwent knee surgery.
The Queen’s husband, Prince Philip, died in April at the age of 99. Though Elizabeth has enjoyed robust health throughout her life, she is Britain’s longest-lived and longest-reigning monarch. She is due to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee â€" 70 years on the throne â€" next year.
News of the cancellation is likely to raise concerns about her health. She was recently overheard saying she was irritated by world leaders who talked about climate change but did nothing to tackle it.
The Queen had been due to attend an evening event next Monday at the conference where world leaders will meet, including US President Joe Biden and the prime ministers of Britain, Australia and India.
She will deliver an address to the assembled delegates via a recorded message, the palace added. Elizabeth’s son and heir, Prince Charles, and his eldest son, Prince William, are still due to attend.
Britain has cast COP26, which begins on Oct. 31, as the last big chance to slow rising temperatures, and it hopes to persuade leaders to adopt tougher climate targets.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is not expected to attend, however, and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is also not coming.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday it was “touch and go†as to whether COP26 would succeed in securing the requirements needed to limit the rise in the average global temperature to 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Elizabeth, who is queen of 15 other realms including Australia, Canada and New Zealand and next year celebrates 70 years on the throne, is known for her robust health.
AP, Reuters
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