Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II indicators her annual Commonwealth Day message in St George’s Corridor at Windsor Citadel, Britain, on this image issued March 5, 2021. Steve Parsons/Pool by way of REUTERS
LONDON, March 14 (Reuters) – Britain’s Queen Elizabeth mentioned her life would all the time be dedicated to service in a message to mark Commonwealth Day, after the 95-year-old monarch was compelled to drag out of Monday’s annual church service to mark the event.
Elizabeth, the world’s oldest and longest-reigning monarch whose well being has turn into an growing concern, introduced on Friday she would miss the Commonwealth Service at London’s Westminster Abbey which the royals have attended for almost 50 years.
Buckingham Palace mentioned her son and inheritor Prince Charles would symbolize her as an alternative. The choice was not associated to any sickness however attributable to considerations over the discomfort of travelling from her Windsor Citadel house, to the west of London.
“On this yr of my Platinum Jubilee, it has given me pleasure to resume the promise I made in 1947, that my life will all the time be devoted in service,” she mentioned in a message to the Commonwealth, an organisation of 54 nations, primarily former British colonies, which she heads.
The queen, whose husband Prince Philip died final April aged 99, spent an evening in hospital final October and has been primarily restricted to finishing up duties nearly since then after being suggested to relaxation by her docs.
Final month she examined constructive for COVID-19, struggling delicate cold-like signs, however was properly sufficient to fulfill Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau final week learn extra .
Shortly after she celebrated the seventieth anniversary of changing into queen in February, a royal supply mentioned she meant to return to regular duties, and regardless of pulling out of Monday’s service, the palace mentioned she would go forward with different in-person engagements this week.
The Commonwealth has all the time been near Elizabeth’s coronary heart, and historians say its success in evolving from the British Empire is likely one of the biggest achievements of her reign.
“Right this moment, it’s rewarding to look at a contemporary, vibrant and related Commonwealth that mixes a wealth of historical past and custom with the nice social, cultural and technological advances of our time,” she mentioned in her message.
“That the Commonwealth stands ever taller is a credit score to all who’ve been concerned.”
Reporting by Michael Holden; Enhancing by Kate Holton
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