For the Queen to miss yet another event which has for decades been cemented in her diary is enough to cause further alarm among royal watchers.
Her Majesty, as palace staff will insist however, remains very sharp and perfectly able to carry on with her daily role, despite her obvious frailties and ability getting about these days.
Questions have obviously been asked as to why the 96-year-old monarch has not been seen in public since the start of her summer holiday in Scotland more than six weeks ago, which may appear somewhat unusual.
But aside from the traditional welcome ceremony which takes place outside the Balmoral Castle gates to herald her arrival each year, the Queen would normally treat her stay as a chance to completely unwind and forgo the usual engagements she undertakes throughout the year.
Add in a particularly busy summer period leading up to and including the incredible Platinum Jubilee celebrations and it’s no wonder Her Majesty needs some extra rest and recuperation.
Indeed, whenever the Queen has missed a host of events in a row in recent months, she has usually appeared some time later looking far more sprightly and rejuvenated than before.
Despite the downturn in her schedule of late and a handing over of some of the more physically demanding duties of the sovereign, such as the State Opening of Parliament and further travel, the Queen has no desire to step back fully and as she said herself in her Jubilee message earlier this year, her son and heir Prince Charles will only take over “in the fullness of time”.
Those close to her are especially mindful of the increasing need to tailor her diary to fit her specific needs, a request for the incoming Prime Minister to visit her at Balmoral rather than her making the 1,000 mile round trip to London and back on Tuesday setting a perfect example.
But along with that comes a need for respect and privacy for a woman who has, over seven decades and continues to, given so much towards her duty, which is no less than she deserves.
