Elizabeth II admits “unease”, the United Kingdom is worried

by time news

Full box! Queen Elizabeth II was on the front page of all the British press this Friday, June 3, conservative dailies Daily Telegraph et The Times to the tabloids Daily Mail et The Sun, passing through the most liberal The Guardian et Financial Times. “The radiant queen throws her party”, ” Unbelievable “, “A glorious day” : the media are full of praise for their rather dapper sovereign during her three appearances on the first day of the celebrations of her platinum jubilee (seventy years of reign). And the newspapers also welcome the thunderous welcome from Londoners.

“Sincerely Believing”

But, beyond her smiles displayed the day before, the decision of Elizabeth II not to participate this Friday in the service of thanksgiving organized at Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London has darkened the general mood. In a statement, Buckingham Palace said that, despite having “I greatly appreciated the parade on her birthday and the visit of the Royal Air Force, she felt a kind of uneasiness”. Before specifying: “Taking into account the journey and activity required for participation in the service”, the queen has decided “with great reluctance not to participate”. A sign that his 96 years have not disappeared as if by magic despite the cheers fed by the crowd the day before.

The Daily Mail apologized: “Oh, how we will miss her! »The Timeshe says to himself “distraught” by this news and recalls that its “episodic mobility issues, as Buckingham Palace calls them, can strike at any time. It is possible that, after her appearance on Thursday evening at the lighting of the torches, we will not see her again for the rest of the jubilee. » And the newspaper adds that “The Queen will be very disappointed not to go to Saint-Paul. She is a sincere believer and takes her role as head of the Church of England seriously. »The Guardian notes, for its part, that “The Queen has always hoped to participate” au service “without being firmly committed to it”.

“Don’t get overly excited”

In mid-May, for the first time since her accession to the throne, the Queen had already entrusted her son Prince Charles with the task of inaugurating the new session of Parliament. Then she had to, again for the first time, give up her place for him on the occasion of two religious services, for the Royal Maundy, the Thursday before Easter, and on Commonwealth Day.

During these three events, Elizabeth II would have had to walk for a long time from her vehicle to reach her assigned place, then stand for a long time. “The Queen is old, and it is normal for her to have ups and downsrecalls the writer Robert Jobson. So do not get too excited if she is not present at all the events of the jubilee. » This specialist in the royal family also estimated, several weeks ago, “very unlikely” his participation in the religious service of this Friday, June 3, because of its duration (one hour) and the planned procession.

It is therefore likely that the queen will not reappear until Sunday on her balcony at Buckingham Palace. But any other participation would inevitably appear as good news on the health of the sovereign, reassuring her most fervent fans within the Kingdom.

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