The Queen’s traditional welcome to Balmoral Castle has been axed, prompting fresh fears for the 96-year-old’s health.
Her Majesty had been due to attend the ceremony in Scotland tomorrow but it was cancelled recently and swiftly replaced with a “small, private event”.
The Mirror understands that until just days ago she was still intending to be there. It is the first time in decades, apart from the pandemic, that she will not greet well-wishers at the gates to mark the start of her annual holiday.
A royal source said: “The traditional welcome to Balmoral is normally cemented in the Queen’s calendar and something Her Majesty really enjoys, being able to greet locals who travel to see her.
“It’s a bitter disappointment the ceremony will not take place in its traditional form.”
Other sources suggested the alternative plan was “very much a sign of things to come”. Buckingham Palace last night moved to dampen concerns over the monarch’s health, insisting the private ceremony was “in line with adapting Her Majesty’s schedule for her comfort”.
The Queen usually would inspect a Guard of Honour from Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Last year she revelled in hearing a performance from The Pipes and Drums of the regiment’s 3rd Battalion and was delighted to meet the Royal Regiment of Scotland’s mascot, Shetland Pony Lance Corporal Cruachan IV.
The Queen, who serves as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, will instead attend a private occasion on the Balmoral lawns within the confines of the Castle.
She will still cast her eye over the soldiers but there will be no TV cameras, photographers or reporters invited. The Queen thrilled the country by appearing at two major events during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June, including Trooping the Colour.
She also joined her three heirs – Princes Charles, William and George –on the Buckingham Palace balcony to close the festivities.
But the sovereign was forced to miss other events including a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral and the Epsom Derby due to tiredness.
Scotland has been a sanctuary for the royals since Queen Victoria’s reign.
It is favoured by Her Majesty who enjoys welcoming her entire family to stay with her throughout the summer.
The Queen has been staying at the smaller Craigowan Lodge on her estate since arriving in Scotland on July 21. On Saturday, a lorry with furniture brought up from Windsor was seen at the castle and she is expected to move in there from tomorrow. It will then be closed to the public until she leaves.
The rustic seven-bedroom stone lodge is just a mile from the castle in Aberdeenshire and is where Prince Charles and Princess Diana spent part of their honeymoon in 1981.
It has recently had a “wheelchair-friendly” lift fitted ahead of the Queen’s plans to spend more time at the retreat in the Highlands. A new security gate, intercom system and CCTV cameras have also been installed.
Royal sources confirmed the Queen will interrupt her holiday to travel to England and invite her 15th Prime Minister to form a government when Boris Johnson quits on September 6.
Buckingham Palace is the usual venue but it may change to Windsor Castle due to refurbishments.
The travel plans are also a boost to the Highland Games on September 3 which the Queen has never missed during her reign.
