Sources say Buckingham Palace is planning a military-style operation to get the Queen to Prince Philip’s memorial service, keeping her out of the paparazzi’s radar.
The 95-year-old monarch is expected to take a 15-minute helicopter flight from Windsor Castle to Buckingham Palace for the event on March 29.
The head of state will then be driven a short distance from the palace to Westminster Abbey, the Sun reported on Sunday.
Under the plans, Dean’s entire Courtyard will be closed off, including six-foot privacy screens and a potential football-style tunnel that will block any photographer’s view when she gets out of her car.
One source told the Mail on Sunday that Her Majesty does not want to appear in public in a wheelchair for fear of repeating a “intrusive” photo taken by her late sister Princess Margaret months before her death.
It comes after the Queen pulled out of a Commonwealth Day service last week out of concern about her “comfort” on a 60-mile trip and whether she could sit in Westminster Abbey for more than an hour.
But she is determined, the sources say, to attend a thanksgiving service for the Duke of Edinburgh, who died last April at the age of 99.
The 95-year-old Queen is expected to take a 15-minute helicopter flight from Windsor Castle to Buckingham Palace for the Prince Philip Thanksgiving Service on March 29.
Sources say the Queen is determined to attend a thanksgiving service for the Duke of Edinburgh, who died last April at the age of 99. Pictured: Her Majesty and Prince Philip together at Windsor.
The Queen wants to walk as much as possible and excludes the use of a wheelchair in public places for now.
But according to Sun, an aid option has been explored so that it can get around the Monasteries, south, and east parts faster and more comfortably.
The assistants then believe that she can be taken to the abbey in Poets’ Corner and only needs a short walk to take her place in the Sanctuary.
It also turns out if she will be able to sit down before the audience arrives, and not the last, as is customary.
Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, told the Sun: “It’s understandable that the Queen doesn’t want to be seen in a wheelchair.
“But as a head of state and a person who wants to be seen and needs to be seen, she can make way for a wheelchair. The best way to do this is to make sure there are no photos.
“This could be a dress rehearsal for everything going on at the Platinum Anniversary. I think she wants to leave because she knows that Philip would like her to be there.
“She will think that if this was her thanksgiving ceremony, he would move heaven and earth to make sure he was there.
“She really wouldn’t want to miss it. This is a headache for her staff as anyone her age suffering from mobility issues will find it difficult. It will be a painful process for her.”
A source told the Mail on Sunday that the infamous image of the late Princess Margaret in a wheelchair still haunts the Queen.
A photograph of her late sister, taken six months before her death, has become a constant cause for regret, which the monarch is unwilling to reproduce.
“It’s a haunting image and the Queen doesn’t remember it fondly,” the source said.
The family gathered in August 2001 for a photocall in honor of the Queen Mother’s 101st birthday. Although still alert, she used two walking sticks.
The queen’s sister was inside recuperating from a series of strokes and was not expected to show up.
But the Queen Mother’s page, William Tallon, nicknamed “Billy from Backstage,” took it upon himself to push Margaret towards the waiting journalists in a wheelchair.
Margaret, who was known for her charming appearance, which survived into middle age, was never seen in this form.
Wearing a jacket and oversized black sunglasses, the princess had her left arm in a sling and a shawl over her legs.
A source who remembers the event told the Mail on Sunday: “The optics were terrible.
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.
“It was supposed to be about the Queen Mother, but everyone saw only Princess Margaret, who, unfortunately, is dying.”
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 that the queen is still shuddering from memories, and the picture, at least somehow reminiscent of the fate of Margaret, is out of the question.
The Queen, known as the “First Reader” in government terms, still receives a daily red box of official documents to sign, and her royal assent is still required for bills to pass through Parliament. (Charles is the second reader.)
“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.
According to the source, Prince William also visits Windsor more often.
The Queen also enjoys the company of her dresser, Angela Kelly, the daughter of a Liverpool dock worker, who is known to entertain the head of state with her practical wit.