Queen to withdraw from Commonwealth Games in recent absence

The Queen is reportedly missing this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, sources say.

Prince Charles is expected to fill in for his mother again at the sporting event – shortly after the 96-year-old monarch missed a series of events to celebrate her platinum anniversary last week.

Her absence is attributed to her “increasing frailty,” the Daily Mail reported, according to senior figures linked to the games.

The Queen has missed just a handful of Commonwealth Games events in the past 70 years and is the Federation Patron behind the competition.

She started the Commonwealth Relay Team at Buckingham Palace in October.

The Mail added that Charles, the Prince of Wales, would represent the royals at next month’s opening ceremony along with various other family members.

The Prince of Wales will stand in for his mother at the opening ceremony on July 28, with a large turnout from other members of the royal family as the competition takes place on home soil.

Experts assume that the event in the Alexander Stadium will be watched by several billion people worldwide.

Among those expected to attend are Prince William, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge and perhaps their children, as well as Princess Anne and Prince Edward.

The monarch’s absence is hardly unexpected as she has missed a number of significant events in recent months, including a series at last week’s anniversary.

These were mainly attributed to mobility issues by the Palace, citing that she used a wheelchair.

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But despite appearing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with a walking stick last week, the monarch appeared to be in good physical health.

If she were to take part in the event, she would have to come to Birmingham from Scotland where she is on summer break.

Her son Charles, 73, will also attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Rwanda this month in the Queen’s absence.

Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to Metro.co.uk’s request for comment.

But sources told the Mail the engagement remained in the Queen’s diary, adding: “Decisions on events will be made closer to the time.”

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