Royal Watch News

Queen Elizabeth misses service due to bad back

Oct 8, 2012, 11:01 GMT

Queen Elizabeth

Britain's Queen Elizabeth missed a church service yesterday (07.10.12) because of a bad back.

The 86-year-old monarch and her husband Prince Philip, 91, pulled out of attending the service at Crathie Kirk in Scotland - a regular place of worship for the royal family when they are residing at nearby Balmoral Castle - as she rested her sore back, but she was said to be 'very disappointed' about missing out.

A source told the Daily Record newspaper: 'It is nothing serious but a sore back has been niggling her for a few days and she felt she had to stay at home and rest.

'She was very disappointed not to be able to attend the morning service.'

The service was due to be the royal couple's last engagement before returning to London later today (08.10.12), despite her injury, to conclude their two-month stay at Balmoral, on Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire.

As a result of Elizabeth's sore back, the pair missed out on seeing the ceremonial Royal Guard, who were due to honour the end of the couple's stay at their official summer residence, but Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, attended the event.

The queen's spokesman revealed the monarch - who is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee this year - had spent the morning resting but she was expected to receive private guests later in the day.

Despite her injury, Elizabeth is still due to unveil the Windsor and Eton Society Diamond Jubilee Tribute tomorrow (09.10.12).