Not quite well enough yet... The Queen pulls out of Commonwealth service
THE Queen's recent bout of gastroenteritis must have knocked her for six as she continued to cancel official engagements today - this time pulling out of a major Commonwealth service.
The Queen had been due to attend the Commonwealth Day Observance at London's Westminster Abbey but instead was advised to stay at home and continue to rest following a recent bout of the illness.
The 86-year-old was struck down by the stomach bug just over a week ago and spent 24 hours at the private King Edward VII's Hospital in central London.
Concerns were raised about the Queen's general well-being as it was the first time she had been admitted to hospital in almost 10 years.
But she left the hospital looking well and cheerful.
Last week, it was hoped that the Queen would return to official engagements today with Buckingham Palace being positive that she would.
The Palace announced the cancellation in a short statement: "The Queen will regrettably no longer attend the Commonwealth Observance at Westminster Abbey today as she continues to recover following her recent illness."
It added: "The Queen hopes to undertake some of her official engagements planned for the rest of this week."
The Duke of Edinburgh will now be the only senior royal representative but the Palace said the Queen would attend an evening reception where she will sign the new Commonwealth charter.