After being forced to pull out of Sunday's Remembrance Service at the last minute (due to a sprained back), and a two week rest order following a short hospital stay, the Queen has shared a poignant message about slowing time.
"None of us can slow the passage of time, and while we often focus on all that has changed in the intervening years, much remains unchanged," she said in her message, which was read out by her youngest son, Prince Edward – who attended the opening session of the 11th General Synod of the Church of England in his mother's place. During his visit, Prince Edward explained that the Queen "deeply regretted" being unable to attend the ceremony in person, pointing out that she had sent her "sincere and deep apologies."
"I think you probably understand why," he added, clearly referencing the back injury that forced her to pull out of Sunday's Remembrance Service, despite the palace earlier announcing it was her "firm intention" to attend.
Her absence from the opening ceremony marked the first time in the Synod's 51-year-history that a Monarch did not attend. The Queen, who is the supreme governor of the Church of England, has attended the opening session of every elected Synod since it began in 1970.
Reflecting on her first visit to the Synod with her husband, the late Prince Philip, the Queen touched upon years gone by in her message. "It is hard to believe that it is over 50 years since Prince Philip and I attended the very first meeting of the General Synod," the monarch recalled.
Her Majesty's emotional words come just days before she would have celebrated her 74th wedding anniversary with the Duke of Edinburgh, who sadly passed away earlier this year at the age of 99. The pair were married on 20 November, 1947, and the Queen is expected to have a day of mourning to mark the anniversary.
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Some Royal experts have also suggested the 95-year-old Royal may spend the day at Sandringham, where she reportedly feels closer to her late husband. Speaking to OK!, a Royal expert said: "Sandringham was Philip's favourite residence by some distance and he would have liked to have lived there all the time if he could have, so you can imagine that the Queen takes comfort from being there."
On top of that, being closer to the Cambridge's home in Norfolk means Her Majesty can lean on her family for support during what will undoubtedly be a tough day. "William and Kate's country home, Anmer Hall, is very close to the main house so it’s possible that they’ll pay her a visit on the anniversary. The Queen takes great comfort from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren," the source added.
