Queen cancels Northern Ireland trip after being told by doctors to rest

The Queen was due to visit Northern Ireland on Wednesday. Credit: PA

The Queen has cancelled a trip to Northern Ireland after receiving medical advice that she rest for the next couple of days.

The 95-year-old monarch's decision is understood not to be related to coronavirus and comes a day after hosting a major Global Investment summit at Windsor Castle.

The Queen is said to be disappointed not to be able to carry out the two-day trip, which was due to begin on Wednesday.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “The Queen has reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days. “Her Majesty is in good spirits and is disappointed that she will no longer be able to visit Northern Ireland, where she had been due to undertake a series of engagements today and tomorrow. “The Queen sends her warmest good wishes to the people of Northern Ireland, and looks forward to visiting in the future.”

Last week, the Queen was seen using a walking stick as she attended a Westminster Abbey service. Credit: PA

Last week, the 95-year-old monarch was seen using a walking stick as she attended a Westminster Abbey service marking the centenary of the Royal British Legion.

It is believed to be the first time she has used a walking aid at a major public event.

The Queen is still expected to attend events linked to the Cop26 climate change conference in Glasgow at the end of the month.

The COP27 climate conference - what you need to know

What is COP27? When and where will it be?

Each year, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meets at what is called the Conference of the Parties (abbreviated as COP) to discuss the world's progress on climate change and how to tackle it.

COP27 is the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties summit which will be held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt from November 6-18.

Who is going?

Leaders of the 197 countries that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) - a treaty that came into force in 1994 - are invited to the summit.

These are some of the world leaders that will be attending COP27:

  • UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is attending the conference, after initially saying he wouldn't as he was too busy focusing on the economy within his first weeks in office.

  • US President Joe Biden and his experienced climate envoy, John Kerry, will appear at the talks.

  • France President Emmanuel Macron will also be among the heads of state from around the world staying in Egypt.

King Charles III will not be attending COP27, despite being a staunch advocate for the environment. The decision was made jointly by Buckingham Palace and former prime minister Liz Truss.

Elsewhere, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will not attend the talks just as they decided to do for COP26.

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What is it hoping to achieve?

1. Ensure full implementation of the Paris Agreement and putting negotiations into concrete actions - included within this is the target of limiting global warming to well below 2C.

2. Cementing progress on the critical workstreams of mitigation, adaptation, finance and loss and damage, while stepping up finance notably to tackle the impacts of climate change.

3. Enhancing the delivery of the principles of transparency and accountability throughout the UN Climate Change process.

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On Tuesday, it was revealed that Britain's longest reigning monarch had turned down the Oldie of the Year trophy because she feels she does not meet the criteria.

As her Buckingham Palace aide explained in the official rejection letter: “You are only as old as you feel”.The Queen is due to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee – 70 years on the throne – next year.


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