Here’s Why The Queen Missed Some Platinum Jubilee Events

Last week, we reported that Queen Elizabeth had been forced to pull out of the Thanksgiving service for her Platinum Jubilee celebration, leading to concerns about her health. Now, the real reason the Queen had to do this has been revealed.

Backstory: Queen Elizabeth Pulls Out Of Platinum Jubilee Thanksgiving Service

Queen Didn’t Want To ‘Stumble’

While Buckingham Palace said that the 96 year-old Queen missed the service due to “episodic mobility issues,” royal expert Robert Lacey told People Magazine that the monarch’s real concern was the public outcry if she were to “stumble.”

“She would not want to stumble – not for her own sake but for the distress it would cause other people,” he explained. 

On top of not attending the Thanksgiving service, the Queen did not ride in the parade for the Trooping the Colour ceremony, instead remaining on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the entirety of it. 

‘It Was Quite Sad’

“In all the years I did the Queen’s Birthday Parade, it was Her Majesty the Queen there. To not have Her Majesty arriving was poignant and the fact that she went out onto the balcony was lovely,” said Bill Mott, a former garrison sergeant major of London District who ran Trooping Colour for the Golden and Diamond Jubilees. 

“I thought in my heart, how many more times am I going to see Her Majesty like that? It was quite sad for a lot of reasons,” he continued. “I know the Platinum Jubilee is meant to be a wonderful occasion and something to mark 70 years, but it was tinged with sadness for me. It’s the end of a very powerful era. How much longer are we going to be blessed with her?”

Related: Queen Bans Meghan And Harry From Buckingham Palace Balcony

The royal family tried to tell the public that the Queen was alright when she missed the Thanksgiving service.

“Yes, she was fine, it was just very tiring yesterday, and she had had a lovely, lovely time,” Kate Middleton, the wife of Prince William, reportedly said at the service. 

Queen Rallies For Surprise Appearance

However, the Queen did rally on Sunday to make a surprise appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the Platinum Jubilee pageant, which closed out the festivities. 

“While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all; and I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability, supported by my family,” she said.

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee was meant to mark her record-breaking seventy years on the British throne. While she could not attend every event, we certainly hope that she enjoyed the celebrations, and that she has many more years on the throne to come!