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Queen Elizabeth II

The Queen to miss the Commonwealth Games this summer with the younger royals set to carry the baton

Buckingham Palace has confirmed that The Queen will miss the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer, with the 96-year-old monarch enjoying a well-deserved holiday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will represent Her Majesty at the Opening Ceremony of the Games on Thursday 28th July.

Their Royal Highnesses will watch the ceremony, with Prince Charles likely to deliver a speech and declare the Games officially open.

Other members of The Royal Family will also be strongly represented across the two-week event, with athletes from across the Commonwealth descending to the West Midlands.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex will also be in attendance at the Opening Ceremony, with Prince Edward serving as Vice Patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation alongside his mother, The Queen.

The following day, Edward & Sophie will attend a series of sporting events.

The Earl has attended every Commonwealth Games since Edinburgh in 1986. In preparation for the Games returning to the UK in 2022, Edward has already made numerous visits to Birmingham to meet volunteers and staff.

Meanwhile, whilst Edward & Sophie are getting close to the sporting action, Princess Anne & Sir Tim Laurence will pay a visit to the Athletes’ Village at Warwick University.

HRH and Sir Tim will meet athletes from across the Commonwealth, before heading to Coventry Stadium to watch England, Scotland and Wales compete in Rugby Sevens games.

On Saturday 30th July, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will attend cycling events at the Lee Valley Velopark. Richard & Birgitte will watch the Men’s 4000m Individual Pursuit, before presenting the winners with their medals.

Further details are yet to be announced, but Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will also attend the Commonwealth Games to watch the sporting action.

Further information on members of The Royal Family attending the Games will be announced closer to the event.