Queen Elizabeth missed the first day of the Windsor Horse Show.
Queen Elizabeth missed the Windsor Horse Show
The 96-year-old monarch - who has been experiencing mobility issues in recent months - had been expected to make the short drive from her Windsor Castle residence to the showground to watch her horse First Receiver compete in a thoroughbred series qualifier on Thursday (12.05.22) but "at the last moment", assembled media were told she had decided not to go after all.
According to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, an area had been cleared and police protection officers were in place, but then word was sent to say the queen had opted not to attend.
Instead, the queen went to see her horses at her stables at the Royal Mews privately around 90 minutes later.
The Windsor Horse Show is thought to be one of the monarch's favourite events and she has attended every year since it began in 1943. It is hoped she will still attend the grand finale on Sunday (15.05.22) evening, which will be a Platinum Jubilee celebration called 'A Gallop Through History'.
This week, the queen will show 41 animals - a huge rise in the 23 or 24 she typically has at the event - and on Friday (13.05.22) alone, 14 of her horses will feature in eight competitions.
Earlier this week, Prince Charles carried out the State Opening of Parliament on behalf of his mother because of her ongoing health issues, marking only the third time she has missed the occasion.
While the queen - whose previous absences from the State Opening came when she was pregnant with her youngest children, Princes Andrew and Edward - was not in attendance for the event, her Imperial State Crown was placed on a table by Charles after travelling in its own car and being inspected by the Crown jeweller before being handed to the Controller of the Lord Chamberlain's household and carried through parliament to its ceremonial position.
In addition, two ceremonial maces, the Cap of Maintenance - which is crimson velvet trimmed with ermine - and the Sword of State used at the coronation of James II were also taken to parliament as they represent the queen's authority during the State Opening.
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