Britain’s Queen Elizabeth has pulled out of the Cop26 conference in Glasgow next week after she was advised by doctors to rest, Buckingham Palace said on Tuesday, in a blow to the UN climate summit.
A palace source said the decision to not attend had been taken as a “sensible precaution” and to let everyone know in advance. The queen remains in good spirits and wants Cop26 to be a success, the source added.
“Following advice to rest, The Queen has been undertaking light duties at Windsor Castle,” Buckingham Palace said.
“Her Majesty has regretfully decided that she will no longer travel to Glasgow to attend the Evening Reception of COP26 on Monday, 1st November.”
The 95-year-old queen stayed overnight in hospital last Wednesday after undergoing “preliminary investigations” for an unspecified but not Covid-19 related ailment.
She carried out her first official engagement since the hospital stay earlier on Tuesday, holding two virtual audiences to welcome the new ambassadors to Britain from South Korea and Switzerland.
News of the cancellation is likely to raise concerns about her health. She was recently overheard saying she was irritated by world leaders who talk about climate change but do nothing to tackle it. She had been due to attend an evening event next Monday at the conference where world leaders will meet including US President Joe Biden.
