Queen Elizabeth II will not physically attend the upcoming United Nations climate conference due to take place in Glasgow, Scotland. The news comes following reports that the monarch spent the night in a hospital last week, hospitalized for “preliminary investigations,” and has been instructed to rest by her medical team.
Instead, Queen Elizabeth is hoping to address the summit virtually.
“Her Majesty is disappointed not to attend the Reception but will deliver an address to the assembled delegates via a recorded video message,” Buckingham palace announced.
After Buckingham Palace confirmed Queen Elizabeth’s hospitalization, which followed the cancellation of a planned trip to Northern Ireland, they released a statement:
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 has returned to ‘light duties at Windsor Castle,” Buckingham Palace said. On Tuesday, the monarch held two virtual audiences from Windsor Castle, one with the incoming South Korean ambassador, Kim Gunn, and one with the Swiss ambassador, Markus Leitner,” The Washington Post reported.
“Today The Queen received two Ambassadors in audience via video link from Windsor Castle,” Buckingham Palace stated on Twitter. “There are more than 170 Ambassadors and High Commissioners based in London at any given time and each will have an Audience with The Queen shortly after taking up his or her role.”
“Mr. Gunn Kim from the Republic of Korea and Mr. Markus Leitner from the Swiss Confederation each presented their ‘Credentials’ – a formal letter from their Head of State confirming that Her Majesty can trust them to speak on behalf of their country,” Buckingham Palace added.
🇰🇷🇨🇭Mr. Gunn Kim from the Republic of Korea and Mr. Markus Leitner from the Swiss Confederation each presented their ‘Credentials’ – a formal letter from their Head of State confirming that Her Majesty can trust them to speak on behalf of their country. pic.twitter.com/MhnbwNb4fD
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 26, 2021
As the Post noted, “Earlier this month, the queen had expressed irritation about the number of elected world leaders who had not committed to coming.”
Some such figures include Russia’s Vladimir Putin — who has said he will not attend — while China’s Xi Jinping has not confirmed his attendance.
During the opening of the Welsh Parliament in Cardiff, Wales, the Queen was heard saying that “We only know about people who are not coming.”
“It’s really irritating when they talk, but they don’t do,” she added.
According to CNN, a source “close to the palace” told the outlet that the Queen’s “overnight stay in the hospital last week was ‘not Covid related,’” and that Buckingham Palace said the monarch “returned to Windsor Castle ‘in good spirits” after one night.”
As USA Today noted, “The queen’s husband, Prince Philip, died in April 2021 at age 99.”
“Though Elizabeth has enjoyed robust health throughout her life, she is Britain’s longest-lived and longest-reigning monarch. She is due to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee — 70 years on the throne — next year,” USA Today added.