THE Queen was forced to miss church yesterday as she rested after her health scare.
The deeply religious ruler, who rarely fails to attend, was expected at All Saints Chapel in Windsor.
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His no-show came after spending a night in hospital last week.
Palace insiders said Her Majesty wanted to look her best when greeting world leaders at the COP26 summit in Glasgow next Monday.
The 95-year-old has had a grueling workload of 120 official engagements in the 194 days since Prince Philip’s death.
She also has a busy diary until next year, including celebrations marking her 70 years on the throne.
Recent duties included hosting business and investment leaders, including Bill Gates, at Windsor Castle on Tuesday ahead of a global summit.
The queen, who recently used a cane, went without and stood for an hour. The following day she had to cancel a trip to Northern Ireland and was taken to hospital in London for “preliminary enquiries”.
As well as focusing on her work following Philip’s death in April, she has been busy having lunch and dinner with friends and family as she ‘doesn’t want to dine alone’, the Sunday Times reported.
Yesterday’s cancellation on the advice of doctors was the first time she had missed prayers at All Saints of Windsor Chapel in Windsor since returning from her summer vacation.
Palace insiders say the Queen wants to save her energy for the COP26 eco-summit in Glasgow which she will attend next Monday.
Royal author Angela Levin said: ‘I’m glad she didn’t go to church as she may be listening and agreeing to temporarily take a step back.
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“Going to church on a Sunday seems like a small event, but it is a very big thing for the Queen and for any woman her age.
“She is very religious and it is personally very important to her to go to church every Sunday.
“But she has to get out of the cute little bubble she has at Windsor Castle, get in and out of cars and up and down in church. Everything is exhausting.
“It makes a lot of sense to miss it so she can do more in the future.”
It is believed that the Queen received private prayers with a chaplain inside the castle.
Her Majesty is unlikely to be seen this week as she is under orders to perform only light duties. Investitures should be carried out by other members of the royal family.
And Prince Charles needs to spend more time in Windsor while his mother recovers.
Going to church on a Sunday seems like a small event, but it is a very big thing for the Queen and for any woman her age.
Angela Levin
Only he and Princess Anne have been busier than the Queen over the past seven months, with 191 and 255 jobs respectively.
Many thought she would slow down after losing her husband and partner. But the Queen continued to travel around the country – including eight jobs in four days during her annual ‘Scottish Royal Week’ in June.
This month, she had 19 engagements in as many days.
According to sources speaking to The Sunday Times, it is understandable that the Queen is “stunned”.
Royal author Penny Junor said: ‘It is possible the Queen overdid it in an attempt to let the country know that the institution of the monarchy is alive and well and to counter the negative publicity that resulted from the Megxit and the Prince Andrew’s situation.
“While she’s the queen, people want to see her.
“She has done a fantastic job since we all came out of lockdown and since her husband died she has put on a truly amazing show.
“She looks years younger than she really is and she looks radiant.
“And let’s be honest, most people his age would be retired for 20 years or more.”
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Monarch’s “Anchor in Life” is Faith
THE Queen considers church attendance a cornerstone of her faith, which she has called “the anchor of my life”.
Her Majesty takes her role as Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England very seriously.
In her 2014 Christmas message, she called the teachings of Christ her “guiding light.”
The Queen normally worships at All Saints Chapel in the grounds of Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, Berks.
She missed a few important church services. Only heavy colds and the pandemic have slowed it down in recent years.
What’s in his diary
THE Queen has a diary full of exhausting events for the year ahead, including the Platinum Jubilee weekend celebrations.
NOVEMBER, 1ST: COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.
NOVEMBER 14: Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph but watches from a balcony.
DECEMBER 20 to MID-FEBRUARY 2022: Church visit on Christmas morning to meet the public at Sandringham.
APRIL 14: Maundy Thursday religious service. Queen distributes special Maundy money to retirees.
CAN: Official opening of Parliament. He is also expected to accept a gift from parliamentarians, possibly a commemorative lamppost, to mark 70 years of rule.
JUNE 2: Trooping The Color to mark his birthday. She only missed it once, in 1955.
JUNE 2-5: Platinum Jubilee weekend, including a concert at Buckingham Palace and a service at St Paul’s Cathedral.
JUNE: Meeting of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
JUNE: Royal Ascot – said to be her favorite event of the whole year.
AUGUST: Holds garden parties at Buckingham Palace and one at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
SEPTEMBER 3: Braemar Highland games during his summer holiday at Balmoral.