Queen Elizabeth Skips Remembrance Day Ceremony With 'Great Regret' After Spraining Back

Queen Elizabeth II wanted to attend Remembrance Day, but she wasn't able to due to her sprained back.

The monarch had been advised to take a break for a few weeks and it was supposed to end Saturday. So, the Queen planned to attend Remembrance Day Sunday, but she couldn't attend the event and return to her public duties after she sprained her back.

"The Queen, having sprained her back, has decided this morning with great regret that she will not be able to attend today's Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph. Her Majesty is disappointed that she will miss the service," Buckingham Palace said in a statement, People reported.

A royal source told the outlet that Her Majesty was "deeply disappointed" because she regards the ceremony as "one of the most significant engagements of the year."

"Nobody regrets the Queen's absence today more deeply than Her Majesty," the source said.

It remains unknown when the Queen incurred the injury, but it likely happened in the last day or so. On Thursday, the palace said the monarch was eager to make an appearance at the ceremony.

Many were also looking forward to seeing the Queen on the balcony of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office above the memorial to Britain's war dead. However, she had her back sprained, and it would be difficult for her to travel the 30 miles by car to London from Windsor, let alone stand on the balcony for about 30 minutes with her condition.

Prince Charles placed the Queen's wreath on her behalf. The Prince of Wales, who also celebrated his 73rd birthday Sunday, laid a wreath of his own decorated with white Prince of Wales feathers. Camilla Parker Bowles put the finishing touches on the wreath a few days ago.

Prince William was also present. The Duke of Cambridge dressed in the uniform of a Squadron Leader of the Royal Air Force and stepped forward after his father laid a wreath of his own.

Queen Elizabeth II's cousin, the Duke of Kent, took over Her Majesty's place on the balcony above the Cenotaph. He was accompanied by their cousin Princess Alexandra. Kate Middleton, Camilla and Sophie, Countess of Wessex stood on the neighboring balcony. The trio wore matching black outfits with black hats.