By Queen to miss second Jubilee event as she pulls out of Epsom Derby
The Queen is to miss her scheduled appearance at the Epsom Derby on Saturday, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
It’s the second Platinum Jubilee event in a row the 96-year-old has had to cancel because of ongoing mobility issues.
On Friday, she missed a thanksgiving service to mark her anniversary as she suffered “discomfort” following a busy first day of festivities.
Speaking to an attendee at a reception after the service, the Duchess of Cambridge said the Queen is “fine” but had found Thursday “very tiring”.
Although the Queen won’t attend the Epsom Derby, the avid horse racing fan is expected to watch it on television at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace said.
Her daughter, Princess Anne, will attend in-person instead.
Epsom tweeted: “We would like to wish Her Majesty The Queen a wonderful Platinum Jubilee. It is a rare occasion that The Queen is unable to join us at Epsom Downs but we are delighted she plans to enjoy Derby Day on television.
“We have big plans to celebrate Her Majesty’s contribution to horseracing and the nation, and these will continue in full tomorrow.”
At a special Jubilee concert outside Buckingham Palace, called Party at the Palace, later this evening Prince Charles and Prince William are expected to pay tribute to the Queen.
The two future kings will address a live audience of 22,000 towards the end of the BBC’s two-and-half-hour open-air show.
Confirmation of whether the monarch will make an appearance is expected later on, but it is considered unlikely.
Diana Ross, Queen + Adam Lambert, Alicia Keys, Hans Zimmer, George Ezra, and Eurovision 2022 runner-up Sam Ryder are among the stars performing at the concert.
Sir David Attenborough, David Beckham and Stephen Fry will also feature, and there will be a specially recorded performance from Sir Elton John.
