Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the Queen will miss Tuesday's State Opening of Parliament for the first time in 59 years.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: "The Queen continues to experience episodic mobility problems, and in consultation with her doctors has reluctantly decided that she will not attend the State Opening of Parliament tomorrow."
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Prince Charles will read the Queen's speech on his mother's behalf.
The Queen would normally read out the government’s plans for the upcoming legislation. Tomorrow will mark only the third time in her reign that she has not attended.
The 96-year-old monarch, who has reigned for 70 years, missed the address in 1959 and 1963 when she was pregnant.
She has been forced to pull out of a number of events in recent months and following her battle with Covid-19.
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The Queen sprained her back in October which led to her cancelling an appearance at the Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph.
She tested positive for Covid-19 in February and experienced cold-like symptoms. She attended virtual engagements while overcoming the virus in the following weeks.
Her test results came in just over a week after her son and heir to the throne Prince Charles contracted the virus for the second time.
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The Queen was well enough her late husband Prince Philip’s memorial service in March but was unable to attend the Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle St George’s Chapel.
Last month the Queen confessed she was left feeling ‘very tired and exhausted’ after suffering covid-19.
Speaking to members of the team in the Queen Elizabeth Critical Care Unit at The Royal London Hospital, Her Majesty explained her own symptoms after hearing from a man named Asef who contracted Covid in December.
The Queen is celebrating her Platinum Jubilee this year, with celebrations set to take place in June.
Her absence from Tuesday’s event will raise concerns over whether the Queen will be able to take part in her celebrations.
Topics: News, The Queen, Royal Family
Gregory Robinson