According to a Royal Family friend, Queen Elizabeth II is reportedly using a wheelchair and canceling events because she does not want to be seen suffering from her mobility.
On Tuesday, the 95-year-old monarch had two virtual audiences from Windsor Castle. Christopher Biggins, a British actor and rumored Royal Family acquaintance, said she is canceling in-person commitments because she is "too proud" to be seen in a wheelchair.
Queen Elizabeth Reduces Appearances Due to Her Mobility
Biggins' remark follows rumors that Buckingham Palace is putting up a "military-style" plan to transport the Queen to Prince Philip's funeral ceremony next week. On March 29, the 95-year-old will be transported 15 minutes by helicopter from Windsor Castle to Buckingham Palace in London, as per Sky News.
She will then be transported from the Palace to Westminster Abbey, where they will be able to park in discreetly outside a side entrance. In October of last year, the Queen was seen for the first time using a walking stick at a large function, but she has never been seen in public in a wheelchair.
According to reports, the Queen's current low profile is owing to her being tormented by photographs of her sister before she died. Her Majesty is keen not to be seen in public appearing feeble or unwell as she approaches her 96th birthday; thus, she has drastically reduced the number of public appearances she makes.
She is claimed to be particularly averse to being photographed in a wheelchair, as her sister Princess Margaret was in the months leading up to her death.
The Queen plans to attend the Duke of Edinburgh's memorial ceremony at Westminster Abbey in less than a week. Despite Prince Andrew paying millions to resolve a civil sexual assault lawsuit out of court earlier this month, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's second son, the Duke of York, plans to attend.
The royal family, as well as Prince Philip's friends, colleagues, representatives of organizations he sponsored, and foreign royals, are expected to meet next Tuesday to pay respect to the 99-year-old duke, who died in April of last year.
The head of state skipped the Commonwealth Day ceremony at the abbey last week, a move that was thought to be based on her comfort rather than a specific ailment. However, she has remained with modest responsibilities, including occasional face-to-face meetings, according to The Sun.
Personalities React About Queen Elizabeth Being on Wheelchair
The Queen withdrew from the Commonwealth Day ceremony last week, citing concerns about her "comfort" during the trip and having to sit in Westminster Abbey for almost an hour. Christopher Biggins, a long-time friend of the Queen, recently expressed his opinion on her health, stating that she is primarily restricted to a wheelchair.
According to Daily Express, Eamonn Holmes, a host, questioned whether she was comparing herself to her sister Margaret, to which she said that it was "embarrassing." Christopher also addressed claims that the Queen is planning to erect a wheelchair-accessible elevator in Balmoral Gardens.
Gyles Brandreth, a former politician and writer, and Camilla Tominey, a royal specialist, shared their thoughts on the Queen's request not to be seen in a wheelchair. The possibility of the Queen coming at the memorial in a wheelchair was explored with This Morning hosts Phillip Schofield and Josie Gibson.
"The plan is for her to enter Westminster Abby by a side entrance, out of the way of photographers, and into position." "Then she can be photographed and seen there," he added, "but we don't want to show her having trouble going to and from her car."