Here's why the Queen will miss this tradition for the first time in decades

It's been a busy few months for Her Majesty the Queen who earlier this year celebrated her record-breaking 70th year on the throne and moved out of her iconic Buckingham Palace home. Understandably then, the Monarch has escaped the hustle and bustle of royal life to enjoy a summer holiday at her Balmoral home in Scotland – but her trip hasn't had the smoothest start, with the Queen dropping out of a traditional event due to health concerns.

As usual, Her Majesty has been spending some time at Balmoral Castle – her preferred summer holiday spot – and was due to kick off her vacation with a traditional welcome event. During the event, the Monarch typically greets local residents at the Balmoral Castle public gate, but this year she will skip the tradition for the first time in decades.

According to The Mirror, a bout of ill health has forced the Queen to pull out of the event – that was due to take place today (8 August) – at the last minute. "The traditional welcome to Balmoral is normally cemented in the Queen’s calendar and something Her Majesty really enjoys, being able to greet locals who travel to see her," a royal source told the newspaper.

The insider continued: "It’s a bitter disappointment the ceremony will not take place in its traditional form."

Photo credit: WPA Pool - Getty Images
Photo credit: WPA Pool - Getty Images

News that the Queen will not attend the traditional event comes months after she tested positive for COVID-19. Speaking about her experience with COVID-19, Her Majesty said during a call with NHS workers: "It does leave one very tired and exhausted doesn't it, this horrible pandemic. It is not a nice result."

The 96-year-old went on, "It obviously was a very frightening experience to have COVID very badly."

But her bout of ill health didn't end there, she was also admitted to hospital overnight and was later seen using a walking stick for the first time in twenty years, igniting a conversation about her mobility issues ahead of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations. "Some days she can walk around easily. Other days she cannot. It varies from day to day," a source told The Sun. "The Queen has told her staff that she doesn’t want to use a wheelchair but they can give her assistance."

We're sending plenty of positive thoughts to Her Majesty and hoping she feels better soon!

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