In a move that will have many people questioning Her Majesty’s continued work at the age of 91, The Queen has asked Prince Charles to lay her wreath at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.
The Queen has performed this duty as head of the Armed Forces every year since she took to the throne (save six occasions: the few times she has been on visits abroad, and pregnant with both Prince Andrew and Prince Edward), but now in her 90s, it seems placing the wreath at the base of the Whitehall monument – and then walking backwards down the stone steps – might be too much for the Monarch.
The Queen will not lay a wreath at the Cenotaph this year; Prince Charles will do it on her behalf. (MoD)
The wreath laid by Her Majesty is on behalf of the nation, and this duty is instead to be undertaken by The Prince of Wales, who lays his own wreath at the Cenotaph. Charles has laid a wreath for The Queen on one previous occasion, during her absence as she visited Kenya in 1983.
Buckingham Palace have announced that instead, The Queen will stand with The Duke of Edinburgh on the Foreign Office balcony to observe the service, just as other members of the Royal Family do.
Her Majesty will join the likes of The Duchess of Cornwall, Duchess of Cambridge, Sir Tim Lawrence, The Countess of Wessex, and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester on Sunday 12th November.
Kate, Camilla and Sophie watch the wreath laying event at the Cenotaph from the balcony of the Foreign Office; this year, they will be joined by The Queen (MoD)
It is thought that Prince Philip’s equerry will place his wreath, too; the Duke is 96, and he ‘retired’ from royal duties this summer.
KING WILLEM-ALEXANDER OF NETHERLANDS LAYS WREATH WITH QUEEN
The statement did, however, stress this year’s arrangements may not necessarily be the same for next year’s service.
What do you think of the decision?
