Buckingham Palace is understood to be "pacing" the Queen's diary as mobility issues limit the scale of her public duties. The workload of the monarch, 95, is under review ahead of four days of Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.
Speaking to The Telegraph, royal sources stressed the Queen is “as committed to her duties of state as ever” but that the “frailties that come with living a long life” are catching up with her. She is not understood to be ill, rather she is finding it challenging to walk or stand for long periods of time.
It comes after the Queen pulled out of attending the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on Monday. She has recently recovered from Covid-19 and has returned to holding audiences, both in person and virtually.
Last October she was seen using a walking stick for support for the first time since having knee surgery 20 years ago, although she has not been using it for all engagements. The monarch told defence staff in a meeting last month: "As you can see, I can't move."
A source told The Telegraph the Queen's days of endlessly dashing across the country for meet-and-greets and plaque unveilings are a thing of the past. “It’s about pacing her diary now", they said. “She has said herself that she is as committed to service as ever, but that will have to take a slightly different form.”
It was reported earlier this month that the Queen has made Windsor Castle, Berkshire, her permanent home and main official residence. She is understood to prefer remaining there full-time – as she did during the pandemic – rather than travel back-and-forth between Windsor and Buckingham Palace in central London.
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