Queen to miss Commonwealth Day service but keep other events

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LONDON (AP) – Buckingham Palace said Queen Elizabeth II, who recently recovered from COVID-19, will not attend a Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey next week.

The palace said on Friday that the 95-year-old monarch has asked her eldest son Prince Charles to represent her at tomorrow’s service celebrating Britain and the international grouping based around its former colonies.

The palace said the queen plans to continue with other scheduled engagements next week, including in-person audiences. The queen tested positive for COVID-19 on February 20 and was said to have mild symptoms.

She returned to in-person engagements this week, meeting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Windsor Castle tomorrow and later meeting the head of Britain’s armed forces.

Palace officials have said that Elizabeth has been fully vaccinated and has had a booster shot.

Senior royals attending the Commonwealth Day service include Charles, his wife Camilla, and Prince William and his wife Catherine.