The Queen has said "None of us can slow the passage of time" in a poignant message to the General Synod given by Prince Edward in her absence due to illness.
The 95-year-old monarch reminisced about her late husband Prince Philip, remarking how it has been half a century since they together attended the very first meeting of the General Synod.
In the speech to the Church of England's national assembly, the Queen praised "our richly diverse modern society" which "the well-being of the nation depends on the contribution of people of all faiths, and of none".
The monarch also used the address to describe the coronavirus pandemic as a period "of anxiety, of grief, and of weariness".
After missing the Remembrance Sunday service at the weekend, the Queen was due to appear in person at the Synod, but her appearance was cancelled last week.
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Edward, who read the 95-year-old head of state's speech to bishops and clergy at Church House, the Westminster headquarters of the Church of England, praised the institution for offering "hope" during the pandemic.
Before the speech, he said the Queen sends her "sincere and deep apologies that she cannot be here today".
Edward added: "I think you probably understand why, and she regrets that deeply."
It comes after it was shared that the seven top ranking royals, affectionately dubbed the "Magnificent Seven", will be stepping in to help with the Queen's diary "for as long as is needed".
Courtiers are also set to scaled down Her Majesty's engagements until spring, sources revealed.
The monarch continues her doctor-ordered rest at Windsor Castle after being forced to pull out of attending the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph.
On Sunday, the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton took centre stage at the service to commemorate Britain's war dead.
Kate looked solemn as she stood in the middle with the Duchess of Cornwall and Sophie Wessex at her sides on a balcony of the Foreign Office while Prince Charles, Prince William, Princess Anne and Prince Edward were below as they laid wreaths at the Cenotaph.
Buckingham Palace has moved to dampen fears over Her Majesty's condition after announcing the 95-year-old had suffered an “unfortunate” back strain, which left her “deeply disappointed” to miss the event.
Courtiers are no2 understood to be taking a “cautious approach” with the sovereign’s diary moving forward, with no public engagements expected for the rest of the year.
