UK

Queen cancels Northern Ireland trip following medical advice

Queen Elizabeth II was planning to attend the centenary service in Armagh. Picture by Victoria Jones/PA Wire
Queen Elizabeth II was planning to attend the centenary service in Armagh. Picture by Victoria Jones/PA Wire Queen Elizabeth II was planning to attend the centenary service in Armagh. Picture by Victoria Jones/PA Wire

The Queen has cancelled a trip to Northern Ireland today and has “reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days”, Buckingham Palace said.

The 95-year-old monarch is said to be in good spirits but disappointed not to be able to carry out the two-day trip, which was due to begin on Wednesday.

The Queen has had a busy few days and hosted a major Global Investment summit at Windsor Castle on Tuesday evening.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “The Queen has reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days.

“Her Majesty is in good spirits and is disappointed that she will no longer be able to visit Northern Ireland, where she had been due to undertake a series of engagements today and tomorrow.

“The Queen sends her warmest good wishes to the people of Northern Ireland and looks forward to visiting in the future.”

The Queen’s decision is understood not to be related to coronavirus.

The Church Leaders’ Group (Ireland) said: “We are very sorry to learn that it will not be possible for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to be present for the Service of Reflection and Hope in Armagh tomorrow. We wish to convey to Her Majesty our good wishes and, in doing so, to acknowledge the significance of her commitment to the work of peace and reconciliation, which has meant a great deal to people throughout this island. We hope that tomorrow’s service will provide an opportunity to further that work, with an emphasis on our shared hopes for the future.”