The Queen ’s traditional welcome to Balmoral Castle has been cancelled, sparking fresh health fears for the 96-year-old sovereign.
The monarch will instead attend a private occasion in the gardens of the castle, with no photographers or reporters invited. It is the first time in decades, with the exception of the pandemic, that Her Majesty will not be there to greet well-wishers at the gates to mark the start of her annual holiday.
A source told The Mirror : “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.”
The monarch would usually inspect a Guard of Honour from Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland. Last year she enjoyed a performance from The Pipes and Drums of the regiment’s 3rd Battalion, and met the Royal Regiment of Scotland’s mascot, Shetland Pony Lance Corporal Cruachan IV.
Buckingham Palace said that plans for the private ceremony were “in line with adapting Her Majesty’s schedule for her comfort”. The Queen has been staying at Craigowan Lodge on her estate since arriving in Scotland on July 21, and is expected to move into the castle from Monday.
But the Queen will interrupt her holiday to travel back to England and invite the new Prime Minister to form a Government after Boris Johnson’s departure on September 6, royal sources have confirmed. This is usually carried out in Buckingham Palace, but may change to Windsor Castle due to ongoing refurbishments.
Her Majesty delighted royal fans during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations back in June with an appearance at two major events, including Trooping the Colour. But the sovereign was forced to miss out on other events, including a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral and the Epsom Derby, due to tiredness.
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