Queen Elizabeth II has pulled out of a second event honoring her 70-year anniversary on the throne.- The monarch was set to attend the Epsom Derby but canceled the visit due to mobility issues.
Queen Elizabeth II has pulled out of a second major event honoring her Platinum Jubilee due to mobility issues, the BBC reports.
The 96-year-old monarch, who is celebrating her 70-year anniversary on the British throne, earlier canceled her appearance at the Service of Thanksgiving on Friday after experiencing "discomfort" at a birthday parade on Thursday, Buckingham Palace previously told Insider.
It's said the same issues have prevented her from attending the Epsom Derby horse race on Saturday. Princess Anne, her only daughter, is set to replace her while the monarch will instead watch the races on television, the BBC reported.
However, the Times of London reported that by not attending the races, the Queen will have time to meet her great-granddaughter, Lilibet Diana, on Saturday, the day of her first birthday. There has been speculation as to whether the pair met earlier this week as her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, attended the Trooping the Colour parade on Thursday where the Queen was also in attendance.
Buckingham Palace and representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not immediately confirm to Insider whether Saturday marks the first time the two have met.
Lilibet, her older brother Archie, and their parents Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, are reported to be staying at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor during the Platinum Jubilee weekend. A representative for the Sussexes said they plan to spend her birthday "together privately as a family," according to ABC News.
The cottage is located a short drive away from Windsor Castle, the Queen's permanent home and official residence.
Lilibet, the second child of Prince Harry and Markle, was named after the Queen's own childhood nickname.
Born in California on June 4, 2021, Lilibet's visit to the UK for the Platinum Jubilee weekend will mark the first time she's had the opportunity to meet close relatives such as her grandfather, Prince Charles, and her uncle, Prince William.