The Queen pulls out of Cop26 climate summit following hospital stay
The Queen will not travel to Glasgow to speak at the Cop26 climate summit, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
The Queen, who has been unwell and was hospitalised for tests, has "regretfully decided" not to make the journey in person, saying she is "disappointed" not to be able to attend.
She will instead deliver a speech to delegates via video message, due to be filmed at Windsor Castle later this week.
Following instructions from her doctors to rest and undertake only "light duties", the Queen has pulled out of a reception she was due to host on Monday.
A source emphasised the Queen's hopes that no other leaders would use her absence as an excuse not to attend the summit, as she wanted Cop26 to be a success.
Her video message will urge world leaders to take "meaningful actions" on climate change.
Buckingham Palace announced the change of plans in order to avoid the appearance of a last-minute health emergency for the Queen, who has taken the advice of medics. A source said she "remains in good spirits".
A spokesman said: "Following advice to rest, The Queen has been undertaking light duties at Windsor Castle. Her Majesty has regretfully decided that she will no longer travel to Glasgow to attend the Evening Reception of COP26 on Monday, 1st November.
"Her Majesty is disappointed not to attend the reception but will deliver an address to the assembled delegates via a recorded video message."
The Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will all attend the Glasgow summit, continuing to represent the Queen as they press key players to make and keep their pledges on climate change and net zero carbon emissions.
The announcement came shortly before the Queen was expected to hold a call with the Chancellor ahead of the Budget on Wednesday.
Her Majesty returns to work
Earlier on Tuesday, the Queen was undertaking "light duties" at Windsor Castle, on a video call for audiences with the ambassador from the Republic of Korea, Gunn Kim, and the ambassador from the Swiss Confederation, Markus Leitner.
It is the first time the 95-year-old head of state has been seen - albeit on a computer screen - since she hosted a busy evening reception for the global investment summit on October 19.
She cancelled a trip to Northern Ireland, was under strict orders to rest, and faced preliminary tests in hospital on October 20 during her first overnight stay at a medical facility in eight years. She spent a night at a private clinic in 2013 when she was treated for a bout of gastroenteritis.
On Tuesday, the Queen wore a yellow dress and her three-strand pearl necklace as she met South Korea's ambassador.
The monarch was shown side-on, smiling as she sat in a chair with her hands in her lap, in front of her large computer screen. On the table were the Queen's folded glasses and several pages of typed briefing notes.
She has been resting at home in Windsor Castle since Thursday morning, when she returned from an overnight stay in the King Edward VII hospital in London having undergone “preliminary tests”.
On Sunday she missed a church service at Windsor's All Saints Chapel, and has not been seen walking her dogs since her hospital visit.
The Queen was said to be "knackered" due to a busy social life and her preference for late-night television, according to the Sunday Times.
She has kept up a busy schedule since returning from Balmoral at the beginning of October, with 19 engagements in 19 days.
Her hospital admission was not related to coronavirus. Buckingham Palace has not commented on whether the Queen has received her booster Covid-19 jab but given her age it is likely she has had it.
The palace initially kept the Queen's stay in hospital a secret, saying on Wednesday she was resting at Windsor and in good spirits after pulling out of a Northern Ireland visit.
After news was leaked to the Sun, they confirmed she had been in for tests but had already returned home on Thursday and was in “good spirits”. The overnight stay was for "practical reasons", a source said.
Her doctors and aides have been awaiting the results of tests and input from specialists, before they could advise the Queen on when she can sensibly be back in action in public.
Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales celebrated the heroic efforts of the Samaritans on Tuesday as he told volunteers "you are such an amazing credit to this country".
The Prince, patron of the Samaritans, visited the charity's Gloucester and District branch to celebrate its 50th anniversary and hear about its recent work.
As he unveiled a plaque and cut a celebratory cake, he spoke of his pride to be involved with such a "remarkable organisation".
He told the crowd of volunteers: "You are such an amazing credit to this country in terms of what you do so many of you, all the time, for so long.
"You are, if I may say so, the absolute backbone of what is required and are here for people who otherwise wouldn't get the help they need."
The Prince added: "All I can say, for what it's worth, is thank you for giving up your precious time and psychological contribution. I can imagine how emotionally wearing it must be. The fact that you do it is fantastic. Thank you, thank you."
Duchess of Cornwall consoles Richard E Grant after wife's death
The Duchess of Cornwall has consoled Richard E Grant whose wife died last month, telling the bereaved actor she was "looking down" on him.
Camilla met the celebrity after inviting famous names from the world of arts and literature to her Clarence House home to celebrate her Instagram book club called the Reading Room.
"The duchess knew my wife very well, who died last month.
"She was talking about her. She was very supportive."
Describing the duchess's initiative as "marvellous" the actor who was born in Swaziland added: "I grew up in a country where there was no television service, so I have been an avid reader since I was four years old.
"Lockdown I think encouraged or allowed people to read much more than in normal circumstances.
"Reading has been the gateway for everything I known or liked in life.
"And it's cheaper than anything."
Guests at the reception included Dame Judi Dench, Hilary Mantel, Tom Stoppard, William Boyd, Edward Fox and Charles Dance.
Camilla revealed she was amazed by her Reading Room's 116,000 followers: "As a complete technophobe, and knowing very little about Instagram, I never cease to be amazed how I have acquired so many followers.
"On reflection, that is, of course, thanks to all of you..."
