Fast approaching her 96th birthday, the Queen remains bright and quick-witted. Visiting foreign dignitaries and domestic dorgis, she enters and exits the front apartments of Windsor Castle on and off as she jokes with the assistants and continues her still-important duties.
Whether it’s signing papers from her daily red box, talking to Boris Johnson on the phone, or having tea with the Governor General of Canada, it’s all done with humor and grace.
Why then her sudden decision not to attend last week’s Commonwealth service at Westminster Abbey, an event that means so much to her?
The change of plan, according to the Palace, was due to the comfort of Her Majesty. However, as courtiers privately admit, it was also about preserving the greatness of the monarchy.
Appearance matters, and even more for the head of state. The Queen has made it clear that her presence at events of personal importance, such as Commonwealth and Cenotaph services, should not come at any cost.
A photograph of her late sister Princess Margaret (pictured) in a wheelchair six months before her death has become a constant cause for regret. “It’s a haunting image and the Queen doesn’t remember it fondly,” the source said.
There is one image in particular that royal aides, and no doubt the Queen herself, try not to copy.
A photograph of her late sister, Princess Margaret, in a wheelchair, taken six months before her death, has become a constant source of regret. “It’s a haunting image and the Queen doesn’t remember it fondly,” the source said.
In August 2001, the family gathered for a photocall in honor of the Queen Mother’s 101st birthday. Although still alert, she used two walking sticks.
Then a murmur went round the circle: “Where is Margaret?” The Queen’s sister was inside, recovering from a series of strokes. Her appearance was not expected.
But the Queen Mother’s page, William Tallon – “Billy Backstage” – took it upon himself to push Margaret towards the waiting journalists in the wheelchair.
Margaret was known for her charming appearance, which continued into middle age. The world has never seen her like this.
Wearing a jacket and oversized black sunglasses, the princess had her left arm in a sling and a shawl over her legs.
They say the Queen still shudders at the memory, too. An unchanging principle – it “must be seen to be believed.” About the picture, at least somehow reminiscent of the fate of Margaret, there can be no question.
A source who remembers the event said: “The optics were terrible. It was supposed to be about the Queen Mother, but everyone saw only Princess Margaret, who, unfortunately, is dying.”
At 70, Margaret looked worse than her mother, 30 years older. There was a terrible fight. The palace staff were furious that Tallon had taken her out for public viewing of the cameras in what they felt was a gross intrusion into her privacy.
They say the Queen still shudders at the memory, too. An unchanging principle – it “must be seen to be believed.” About the picture, at least somehow reminiscent of the fate of Margaret, there can be no question.
Why let the queen roam awkwardly around the abbey when there’s an opportunity to show her meet and greet to state dignitaries at Windsor?
The Queen recently hosted nine days of official meetings, including welcoming Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.
She recently reiterated the promise she made on her 21st birthday twice: “My whole life, long or short, will be dedicated to serving you and serving our great imperial family, to which we all belong.”
However, as she acknowledges, some things will inevitably have to change.
For years our ruthless monarch has given more work to the Prince of Wales.
The Queen, known as “First Reader” in government terms, still receives a red box of official signature papers daily. Her royal assent is still required for bills passing through Parliament. (Charles is the second reader.) But there is also compensation: an increase in the number of family visits.
“Prince Charles will now often stay at Windsor if he comes to visit and spend time with his mother rather than returning to Highgrove,” the source said. Prince William also visits Windsor more often.
She also enjoys the company of her dresser, Angela Kelly, the daughter of a Liverpool docker who is known to entertain the Queen with her down-to-earth wit.
When she’s not at work, she watches TV or is engrossed in puzzles posted by her longtime pager, Paul Huybrew.
During his most recent engagement in 2017, Prince Philip summed up the predicament in typically laconic fashion. After someone said, “I’m sorry to hear you’re leaving,” the 95-year-old duke replied, “Well, I can’t stand for long.”
The Queen will carry out her God-given duties to the end. But we will see the Prince of Wales speaking and speaking on her behalf more and more.
She made it clear: the dignity of the monarch must be protected at all costs.
The Queen plans to spend more time at Balmoral once a wheelchair lift is installed in her cabin.
Ashley McAnally for Mail On Sunday
The Queen has installed a wheelchair lift at her home in Balmoral, fueling speculation that she might be spending more time at her favorite Highlands retreat.
She has also applied for additional security, including CCTV and automatic gates, on a 50,000-acre estate in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire.
Balmoral was purchased for Queen Victoria by her husband Prince Albert in 1852 and has remained a favorite summer destination for the royal family ever since. But the 95-year-old queen often chooses to live at the Craig Gowan House, a seven-bedroom, two-story stone house on the estate.
Last year, a £20,000 high-tech lift was approved for the cottage that can carry a wheelchair and three people.
The Queen has installed a wheelchair lift at her home in Balmoral, fueling speculation that she might be spending more time at her favorite Highlands retreat.
Planning documents show that officials gave the green light to the “Lifton” in the rear wing of the building to solve the problem for users with disabilities in terms of accessing the existing stairs from the first floor to the second and vice versa. ‘
Plans were also unveiled earlier this month to install CCTV cameras, as well as a fence, intercom and automatic gates.
The queen’s mobility has worsened in recent months and she was photographed holding a cane earlier this year. She missed a Commonwealth 50th anniversary service last week at Westminster Abbey but hopes to attend a memorial service for her late husband Prince Philip later this month and as many 70th anniversary celebrations as possible this summer.
The Queen’s decision to spend more time at Balmoral would have drawn comparisons to Queen Victoria, who retired to an isolated home on the estate after Albert’s death at the age of 42 in 1861.
Planning documents show that officials gave the green light to “a Lifton in the rear wing of the building to address the issue for users with disabilities in terms of accessing existing stairs from the ground floor to the second floor and vice versa.”
The Queen’s decision to spend more time at Balmoral would have drawn comparisons to Queen Victoria, who retired to an isolated home on the estate after Albert’s death at the age of 42 in 1861.
Victoria could not stay in the cabin they shared and built a small gray granite house on the shores of Loch Muick. It became known as the widow’s house.
The surrounding hills reminded Albert of his native Germany, and Victoria said that the place “seemed to breathe freedom and peace and made you forget about the world and its sad upheavals.”
Asked if the Queen could spend more time at Balmoral Estate, local councilor Geva Blackett said: “We always welcome the Queen here, she is part of the community. We’d like her to be here more often if she wants to.”
Buckingham Palace declined to comment.