The Queen is not expected to receive the Trooping the Colour salute for the first time in her 70-year reign, it was reported last night.
The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and Princess Anne are set to be in her stead during the military display at Horse Guards Parade.
It will be seen as another sign of the Queen, who is 96, delegating her duties in her advanced age.
The Sunday Telegraph reports that it is still hoped the Queen will attend part of the June 2 ceremony, which is being modified with her comfort in mind on a momentous year for her reign.
The monarch, celebrating her Platinum Jubilee, continues to experience 'episodic mobility problems' and her attendance at events depends on her day-to-day health.
As well as marking her official birthday, the parade will kick off four days of national celebrations for her Platinum Jubilee.
Earlier this month Prince Charles, 73, stood in for her at the state opening of parliament, the first time she had missed the event in 59 years.
However later that week she was well enough to attend the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
One plan being considered, according to the Sunday Telegraph, would see the Queen travel in a carriage from Buckingham Palace to briefly inspect the troops, before retiring for the rest of the ceremony, with Charles, William and Anne on horseback representing her at the parade ground.
The paper says it hoped the monarch would then later reappear at the palace for the traditional balcony moment with members of the royal family.
However another plan is also reported to be being considered which would have the Queen only on the balcony at the ceremony's conclusion.
Either way, the paper says, she will not be present for most of the parade.
She has previously always been present at Horse Guards Parade for the duration of the ceremony, either on horseback or, in more recent years, seated on a dais.
The Queen has attended Trooping the Colour to take the royal salute every year of her reign, except in 1955, when it was cancelled due to a rail strike.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, along with children Archie and Lilibet, will join the Queen for her jubilee at the parade and a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on June 3.
They will not join her on the palace balcony after Trooping the Colour, which “after careful consideration” by the Queen will only include royals undertaking official duties.
This means Prince Andrew is also likely to be absent.
Her presence at jubilee celebrations will be confirmed only on the day of each event.
