Queen Elizabeth II Misses Royal Ascot: First Absence Since Coronation
The Queen Misses Royal Ascot for the First Time Since Coronation
(June 14th, 2022 – Ascot, UK) – Ascot Racecourse has confirmed that Queen Elizabeth II has missed every day of the prestigious Royal Ascot event for the first time since her coronation. Her Majesty, who has been experiencing episodic mobility issues, is typically a fixture at the renowned racing gathering but will watch the final day on television.
This year’s absence marks the first time the Queen has intentionally missed the Royal Ascot, having only missed the 2020 edition when the races were held behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 96-year-old monarch’s lack of attendance is notable, as the Royal Ascot is one of her most beloved annual events, and she frequently enters her own horses in the races. In 2013, she made history by becoming the first reigning monarch to win the Gold Cup.
“According to Sky News, the royal carriage procession will be led by the Duke of Kent, accompanied by Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.”
This year’s absence follows the Queen’s limited participation in the recent Platinum Jubilee celebrations, where she only appeared in public twice during the four-day bank holiday weekend. Senior figures associated with the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham have also cited the Queen’s “increasing frailty” as the reason for her absence from the international sporting event this summer. It is expected that Prince Charles will step in to represent his mother at the Games, as he has done on several occasions throughout 2022, including for the Queen’s Speech.
The Queen’s mobility issues have been a concern since October 2021, when she spent a night in the hospital for the first time in eight years. During an official engagement at Windsor Castle in February 2022, she pointed to her left leg or foot and said, “Well as you can see, I can’t move.“
Despite her recent health challenges, the Queen’s dedication to her royal duties and the Ascot Racecourse remains steadfast. Her absence from this year’s Royal Ascot, however, serves as a poignant reminder of the monarch’s advancing age and the evolving nature of her public role.
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