Royals gather for Remembrance Sunday in the Queen's absence
Senior royals have gathered for the Remembrance Sunday ceremony, shortly after Buckingham Palace announced Queen Elizabeth would be unable to attend due to a sprained back.
This is only the seventh time in her reign that the monarch, 95, has missed the event, one of the most important on the royal calendar.
As he has in recent years, Prince Charles laid a wreath on his mother's behalf at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London.
READ MORE: Queen misses Remembrance Sunday service after spraining her back
Prince Charles laid a wreath on behalf of his mother the Queen, who missed the service due to a sprained back. Getty
Kate was flanked by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, watching the service from the Foreign Office balcony. AP
Prince William, Prince Edward and Princess Anne then followed suit, placing wreaths in tribute to those lost in war.
The wreath-laying followed a two-minute silence.
The Duchess of Cambridge, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Sophie, Countess of Wessex watched the proceedings from the balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, as did the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra.
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Prince William laid a wreath at the Cenotaph, along with Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Edward. AP
Kate was joined by Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. AP
Prince Edward, the Queen's youngest son, also placed a wreath during the service. AP
Though Her Majesty was unable to attend the service in person, her presence was certainly felt as proceedings ended with a rendition of 'God Save the Queen'.
Last week, the palace confirmed the Queen would be making an appearance at the service, marking her first public outing since her overnight stay in hospital last month.
On doctors' orders, Her Majesty has missed several recent events, including the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, in order to rest.
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Remembrance Sunday is one of the most important events on the British royal family's calendar. AP
Wreaths were placed after a two-minute silence. Getty
However, less than two hours before Sunday morning's service began, the palace confirmed the monarch had been forced to pull out "with great regret" due to injury.
"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," a statement read.
According to The Mirror, the palace has stressed the sprain was not connected to the Queen's hospital stay in late October for "preliminary investigations".
READ MORE: A look at the rare times Queen Elizabeth has taken time off due to her health
The Queen attended Remembrance Sunday in 2020, watching proceedings from the Foreign Office balcony. AP
"On conversation with royal doctors it was decided that a back sprain is not conducive with a car journey and a period of standing," a source told the publication.
Remembrance Sunday has always been an event close to the Queen's heart, Her Majesty being the last remaining head of state to have served in uniform during the First World War.
She has been deeply involved in the UK's commemorative events throughout her reign.
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