Elizabeth II's funeral attendance

Jun 1, 2006, 14:09 GMT

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II might have to miss the annual Derby horse races - because she has to attend a funeral.

If that happens, it will only be the third time in 50 years that the monarch has had to pass on the equestrian spectacle.

Traditionally, the royal couple lead a parade prior to the Derby, however, according to Britain's The Independent newspaper, the burial of the prince's close friend, Earl of Lonsdale, is due to take place at the same time -this Saturday (03.06.06).

The funeral is set to take place near Lonsdale's home in Cumbria, north-west England - a long way from Epsom Downs racecourse -making it impossible for the royal couple to attend both events.

A source said: 'Generally speaking, Liz and Phil don't attend funerals, because they get invited to an awful lot. However, they were close to Lonsdale, and feel a sense of duty. It's a case of watching this space.'

Previously Elizabeth has only missed the Derbies to mark Britain's historic Normandy landings.

She failed to attend the event in 1984 when she joined the 40th anniversary celebrations, and then again in 2004 - to mark 60 years since the historic date.

Meanwhile, the Queen is set to open a garden in memory of her late mother this summer (06).

According to Britain's The Scotsman newspaper, the £600,000 memorial at the Royal Botanic Garden will include a maze and a pavilion.

The design of the maze is based on the historic Eassie Cross near Angus in Scotland, where the Queen Mother spent her childhood.

Chairman of the memorial fund, David Bowes-Lyon, said: 'The garden will be a wonderful tribute to the Queen Mother's memory but also somewhere where families can come for a day out and where children can learn about the history of the Queen Mother's life.'

Copyright 2006 BANG Media International