ATfter a series of cancellations for health issues, Queen Elizabeth II is expected on Tuesday for her first major public outing in months for a religious ceremony in honor of her late husband Prince Philip. While her services have so far cast doubt on her presence, the monarch, who will turn 96 in April, appears on the program published by Buckingham Palace of the tribute paid from 10:30 GMT to the one who was her husband and her “rock” for 73 years. In mid-March, however, she had canceled at the last minute her participation in a religious service organized as part of the annual Commonwealth Day, when she appeared on the program. She had finally preferred to be represented by her son Charles.
If Elizabeth II continues to lead certain face-to-face engagements, she has considerably reduced her schedule since a night of hospitalization in October for examinations that were never specified. She has retreated since the start of the pandemic to Windsor Castle, about forty kilometers from London. The sovereign, who recently passed the milestone of 70 years of reign, said she had difficulty moving around and was seen leaning on a cane. According to press reports, she uses a wheelchair in private, and even a golf cart in Windsor Gardens, while a stairlift has been installed at her Scottish residence in Balmoral. The queen had also been infected with Covid-19 in February, showing mild symptoms.
The ceremony for Philip aims to pay tribute to the one who supported Elizabeth II for more than seven decades and with whom she had four children. Her death last April, shortly before her 100th birthday, took place in the context of strict anti-Covid restrictions, which had imposed a funeral in a small committee, with the symbol of the image of the queen seated alone in the chapel of Windsor. . The latter had largely devoted her traditional Christmas address to her “beloved Philip”. Elizabeth II had confided how much her “mischievous” look and her laughter missed her. Members of the British royal family and many foreign crowned heads are expected on Tuesday. But among the announced absentees is Prince Harry who, with his wife Meghan, announced in 2020 to relinquish his leading role within the British royal family. The couple and their two children now live in California.
Prince Andrew to absent subscribers
Prince Andrew will however be present, according to the program of the ceremony. Long described as the favorite son of Elizabeth II, he is keeping a low profile after being accused by American Virginia Giuffre of having sexually assaulted her in 2001. Threatened with a trial in the United States, the 61-year-old prince is finally reached a confidential agreement with his accuser, but his reputation suffered seriously. As Elizabeth II gradually passes the baton, her family remains turbulent, like the recent move of Prince William, second in line to the throne, and his wife Kate to the Caribbean.
This tour was supposed to mark the attachment of the monarchy to the former colonies, now members of the Commonwealth, on the occasion of the 70 years of reign of the queen. It was marked by hostile protests in Belize, criticism of the family’s historical ties to slavery, while Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness called his country’s transition to republican rule ‘inevitable’, as the did Barbados last November. Despite the scandals that regularly shake her family, Elizabeth II remains at the zenith of her popularity. Four days of festivities are planned in June in the United Kingdom to celebrate his 70 years of reign, his “platinum jubilee”.
