From the BBC:
“Queen will not attend COP26
climate change summit”
The Queen will not attend the
COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow following medical advice to rest. The
95-year-old monarch underwent preliminary medical checks in hospital last
Wednesday after cancelling a visit to Northern Ireland. She resumed public
engagements on Tuesday, by meeting ambassadors via video link from Windsor
Castle. Buckingham Palace said she "regretfully" decided not to
attend a reception at the summit. But the palace said she would deliver her
address to delegates using a recorded video message instead. In images released
on Tuesday, the Queen was seen smiling on camera as she greeted the South
Korean and Swiss ambassadors, who were speaking to her from Buckingham Palace. It
was the first time she had been seen since she hosted a Global Investment
Summit at Windsor Castle on the evening of 19 October. The following day,
Buckingham Palace said the monarch had "reluctantly accepted medical
advice to rest for the next few days". She spent the night of 20 October
in hospital before returning the next day to Windsor Castle, where she was said
to be "in good spirits".
Analysis box by Sean Coughlan,
royal correspondent A cancelled trip to Northern Ireland and a night in
hospital last week were followed by reassurances that this would only mean a
rest and recharging of the royal batteries ahead of the COP26 summit. That
trip to Glasgow has now been cancelled too. It was a big moment in the royal
calendar and it's a decision that would not have been taken lightly. Only
this morning the 95-year-old Queen was shown back at work and sending a signal
that all was well. Her meetings today were held on video - and a video
message will be sent to the Glasgow summit - so perhaps this will be more of
how we'll see the monarch in future. She will be more online, while
those in-line will take up more of the public responsibilities. In its
latest statement, the palace said: "Following advice to rest, The Queen
has been undertaking light duties at Windsor Castle. "Her Majesty
has regretfully decided that she will no longer travel to Glasgow to attend the
evening reception of COP26 on Monday, 1 November. "Her Majesty is
disappointed not to attend the reception but will deliver an address to the
assembled delegates via a recorded video message."
More on climate summit top
strapline The COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow in November is seen as
crucial if climate change is to be brought under control. Almost 200 countries
are being asked for their plans to cut emissions, and it could lead to major
changes to our everyday lives. It is understood that the Queen very much
wants COP26 to result in meaningful action on climate change from participating
nations, and hopes her absence will not be used by others as a reason not to
attend. The Queen is expected to continue to carry out light duties,
including speaking to Chancellor Rishi Sunak ahead of Wednesday's Budget, a
long-standing tradition.
^ Cancelling another in-person
event in such a short amount of time is troubling to hear. I hope she can take
things easy and continue her work (even remotely) for a long while still. ^
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