EASTER REGRETS
THE Queen WON'T attend her Easter Sunday Service in Windsor this weekend after regretfully pulling out of another special event today.
Sources say Her Majesty, 95, is "not expected" to join members of the Royal Family for the Easter Mattins Service at St. George's Chapel on Sunday - despite usually making an appearance.
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It comes after the monarch was due to attend a Maundy Thursday service at St George's Chapel in Windsor today, but was instead represented by Prince Charles and Camilla.
It is the first time the Prince of Wales has taken the Queen's place at the event, which marks an important fixture in the royal calendar.
Today, Charles distributed Maundy money to community stalwarts, before he and Camilla met the Dean of Windsor, The Right Reverend David Conner KCVO and the Lord High Almoner, the Right Reverend Dr. John Inge.
Meanwhile, the Queen, who has been experiencing mobility issues, continued to hold virtual meetings by video call.
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It is understood she had been unable to commit to Thursday's event as the order of service was still being printed.
Her reason for pulling out of Sunday's celebration has not, however, been confirmed.
Sources say Prince Charles and Camilla are unlikely to be there for the Easter occasion, which the Queen usually attends with other members of the Royal Family.
Crowds will often gather to welcome them before the service begins and afterwards The Queen receives a bouquet of flowers from local children.
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Her Majesty has been forced to pull out of several recent engagements following a number of health scares including a battle with Covid.
She missed last month's Commonwealth Day ceremony due to concerns about her “comfort”.
The Head of State has also been seen using a walking stick over the last six months and in February told a visitor at Windsor Castle: “As you can see, I can’t move.”
But in March, Her Majesty received a £62,000 golf buggy to help her get around and fulfil future engagements.
And she walked unaided at a memorial service to her late husband Prince Philip on March 29.
The monarch had strolled arm-in-arm with her "favourite" son Prince Andrew as the thanksgiving service began at Westminster Abbey.
But once she reached the end of the aisle, she detached herself from Andrew's elbow and confidently made the last few steps alone.
Today will only be the fifth time the Queen hasn't been in attendance at the Maundy service during her 70-year reign.
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She was represented by the Lord High Almoner in 1954 while she was on a Commonwealth Tour, and the Queen Mother took her place in 1960 after Prince Andrew was born.
In 1964, the Princess Mary, Princes Royal, attended following the birth of Prince Edward, and the Queen Mother went in her place in 1970 while the monarch was on a tour in New Zealand.
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