Queen to withdraw from public duties

Source: News Corp Australia Network:

May 10, 2020 at 10:02

Queen Elizabeth II addresses the nation and the Commonwealth on the 75th anniversary of VE Day at Windsor Castle on May 8, 2020 in Windsor, England. Picture: Buckingham PalaceSource:Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth is due to withdraw from public duties for months in what could be the longest absence of her 68-year reign.

The Queen is due to withdraw from public duties for months in what could be the longest absence of her 68-year reign.

Her Majesty, who is 94, will remain at Windsor Castle indefinitely as the coronavirus crisis continues in the UK.

Buckingham Palace will be closed to the public over the European summer for what is thought to be the first time in almost 30 years.

The Sunday Times reports that her diary of engagements into autumn is also on hold.

She had plans for a state visit to South Africa in October, but it is not yet known if this will go ahead.

Events including Trooping the Colour, the Order of the Garter service and her summer garden parties have already been cancelled, while Royal Ascot – which she attends annually – will only take place behind closed doors, if at all.

The Long Walk and Windsor Castle, with Queen Elizabeth II in residence, on May 08, 2020. Her Majesty will remain at Windsor Castle indefinitely. Picture: Chris Jackson — The Long Walk and Windsor Castle, with Queen Elizabeth II in residence, on May 08, 2020.
Her Majesty will remain at Windsor Castle indefinitely.
Picture: Chris JacksonSource:Getty Images

The Queen has recently given two public addresses to the nation.

In the first, on April 5, she echoed WWII forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn as she promised those coping with forced separation from loved ones “we will meet again”.

Some 24 million people watched the speech.

And on VE Day, she urged Brits: “Never give up – never despair.”

Britain marked Queen Elizabeth II's 94th birthday on April 21 with silence, as the nation in lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic forgoes the usual gun salutes and ringing of bells. Picture: Frank Augstein — Britain marked Queen Elizabeth II's 94th birthday on April 21 with silence, as the nation in lockdown amid the
COVID-19 pandemic forgoes the usual gun salutes and ringing of bells.
Picture: Frank AugsteinSource:AP

GARDEN PARTIES CANCELLED OVER PANDEMIC

The monarch usually returns from Windsor to Buckingham Palace in May before taking her annual summer break at Balmoral in July.

However, royal aides say she has no engagements and will not leave Windsor until the threat from coronavirus clears.

Her last public engagement was the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9.

She has been isolating at Windsor with the Duke of Edinburgh since March 19.

Despite that, she has been in regular contact with the prime minister and other world leaders.

2017: (L-R) then fiancee of Britain's Prince Harry Meghan Markle, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Harry, and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh leave after attending the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham. Picture: Adrian Dennis — 2017: (L-R) then fiancee of Britain's Prince Harry Meghan Markle, Queen Elizabeth II,
Prince Harry, and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh leave after attending
the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham.
Picture: Adrian DennisSource:AFP

The news comes on the day Boris Johnson prepares to outline his ‘road map’ out of the UK’s lockdown.

Yesterday, coronavirus deaths in the country rose to 31,587 after 346 more people lost their lives to the deadly disease.

A royal source told The Times: “The Queen won’t do anything which goes against the advice of people in her [age] category and she’s going to take all the appropriate advice.”