The grandmother of Princes William and Harry, who turns 96 at the end of the month, will be represented by her son Prince Charles, heir to the crown, and his wife Camilla, the palace said.
The Queen usually participates in this ceremony every year. According to a tradition that dates back to the 12th century, she distributes coins minted for the occasion to the faithful. It is Prince Charles who will take care of it this year during a mass at Windsor Castle.
The queen has lightened her schedule considerably since a night of hospitalization in October for examinations, the nature of which has never been revealed. She has retreated since the start of the pandemic to Windsor Castle, about 40 miles from London, and recently admitted to having difficulty getting around.
Holy Thursday Mass commemorates, according to Christian tradition, Jesus’ last supper with the twelve apostles and is part of the preparations for Easter Sunday, which marks the resurrection of Jesus.