Queen Elizabeth Long COVID-19 Crisis: Monarch Suffering Episodic Mobility Issues
Tuesday's royal engagement will be skipped by Queen Elizabeth II owing to health concerns.
Her Royal Highness, 96, "continues to endure episodic mobility issues," according to a statement issued by Buckingham Palace on Monday.
The Palace noted that the Queen has reluctantly decided not to attend tomorrow's State Opening of Parliament after consulting with her physicians.
Prince Charles will assume her responsibilities at the ceremony, the statement said.
"At Her Majesty's request, and with the agreement of the relevant authorities, The Prince of Wales will read The Queen's speech on Her Majesty's behalf, with The Duke of Cambridge also in attendance," it read.
In February, Queen Elizabeth II contracted COVID-19. Although Charles, 73, reported in March that his mother was "getting better," the coronavirus can cause mobility challenges in the elderly.
According to results published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, middle-aged and elderly patients with even a mild case of COVID-19 may face "worsened mobility and functioning outcomes following infection."
In April, Queen Elizabeth revealed that the coronavirus had left her feeling "extremely weary."
"It does leave one very tired and exhausted, doesn't it?" she said in a conversation with National Health Service workers organized by the Royal London Hospital, per CNN. "This horrible pandemic. It's not a nice result."
Although Her Majesty will not attend the State Opening of Parliament, she is still anticipated to attend her Jubilee celebration in June.
A spokesperson for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle told Page Six last week that the Queen and "those members of the royal family who are currently performing official public duties on behalf of the Queen" will make the official public appearance. They will also be part of the usual photo op on the palace of the Buckingham Palace.
Royal supporters have only one hope, regardless of whether the Queen can return to her previous level of productivity or not: that she will live longer and be healthy. On Monday, Queen Elizabeth became the third-longest reigning monarch in global history. She has ruled for 70 years and 92 days, surpassing Johann II of Liechtenstein, who died in October 2016 after governing for 70 years and 91 days. In just 34 days, the Queen may overtake King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, who ruled for 70 years and 126 days. Louis XIV ruled France for 72 years and 110 days.