The Queen Will Skip Easter Services Ahead Of Her 96th Birthday & All Eyes Are On Her Health

Queen Elizabeth II is skipping another major event, and this time it's the Easter Sunday service.

Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday that the queen will miss Sunday's Easter festivities, in addition to skipping today's Maundy Service, reports the BBC.

No further details were given on the queen's health, although it's become a topic of concern since she tested positive for COVID-19 in February.

She recently opened up to COVID-19 patients and admitted that the sickness left her "exhausted," although she has since recovered.

"This horrible pandemic. It's not a nice result," she said at the time.

The queen has also been dealing with mobility issues and has been seen using a cane over the last several months.

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, are expected to attend the Easter Sunday service along with Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, confirmed The Independent.

The paper reports that the queen has only backed out of the Maundy Service four other times during her 70-year reign. She traditionally distributes Maundy coins to those who have been recognized for their service to their church and community.

This year, Prince Charles stood in for his mother, handing out the coins to 96 men and 96 women at the service.

Queen Elizabeth II has recently missed several events and engagements that she would typically have attended in past years, although she did attend the memorial for her late husband, Prince Philip, in March.

The queen will mark her 96th birthday next Thursday, April 21.