Queen pulls out of 2022 summer garden parties

It’s the first time the garden parties have taken place since 2019

The Queen attends a garden party in 2019 (Getty)

The Queen is to miss this year’s traditional royal garden party season, stepping down from her usual hosting duties at Buckingham Palace and Holyroodhouse.

The 96-year-old will be represented instead by other members of her family.

She has missed a number of engagements this year, particularly after testing positive for Covid-19 in February, which she later said had been tiring. In October, she spent a night in hospital and only carried out light duties for several months.

Preparations are almost complete for her platinum jubilee celebrations early next month, including Trooping the Colour, a jubilee concert, and a pageant. She formally marked 70 years on the throne in February.

“Her majesty the Queen will be represented by other members of the royal family at this year's garden parties, with details on attendance to be confirmed in due course,” a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said.

This year marks the first return of the Wednesday afternoon garden parties since 2019, after the pandemic forced their cancellation in 2020 and 2021. The parties serve as important events on the royal calendar, as those who have served their country or community are invited.

In March, the Queen attended a service commemorating the life of her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. She was on the arm of her second eldest son, Prince Andrew, in the duke’s first public appearance since settling the sexual assault case levied against him by Virginia Giuffre.

Additional reporting by PA