By Karim El-Bar
LONDON (AA) – Queen Elizabeth II will not attend the State Opening of Parliament on Tuesday, Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Monday.
Prince Charles, heir to the throne, will take her place. Prince William, second in line to the throne, will also be in attendance.
In recent months, Elizabeth, 96, the world’s oldest and longest-reigning monarch, has been scaling back her royal duties and public appearances due to both health issues and age.
This is only the third time Elizabeth has not opened parliament.
The previous instances were in 1959 and 1963, during her pregnancies at the time.