Queen postpones diplomatic reception on Govt advice as war rages in Ukraine
26 February 2022, 19:42 | Updated: 26 February 2022, 21:04
The Queen has postponed a diplomatic reception following advice from the Foreign Secretary amid the conflict in Ukraine.
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Buckingham Palace said the Queen had accepted the Foreign Secretary's advice to delay the event, which had been due to take place at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.
It is understood the postponement is because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has seen nearly 200 civilians killed.
The Queen would have been meeting hundreds of members of the Diplomatic Corps if the event went ahead as planned.
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In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: "The Queen has accepted the Foreign Secretary's advice that the diplomatic reception at Windsor on March 2 should be postponed."
The 95-year-old monarch contracted coronavirus last week and has been suffering mild "cold-like" symptoms.
She cancelled planned virtual engagements as a result of her symptoms, but has still carried out "light duties" at Windsor Castle.
Her Majesty tested positive for coronavirus last Sunday after coming into contact with her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles, the week he had the virus.
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She is believed to have spent time with Charles on Tuesday February 8 - days after she carried out her first major public engagement for more than three months when she met charity workers at Sandringham house - when her son hosted an investiture at her Windsor Castle home.
Until recently she had been on doctors' orders to rest and only undertake light duties since mid-October.
She cancelled a run of major engagements, and also secretly spent a night in hospital on October 20 undergoing preliminary tests.
It is understood further engagements over the coming week will be decided upon nearer the time.
