The Queen will skip a church service at Balmoral as a ‘sensible precaution’ against coronavirus during her annual summer stay with Prince Philip
- Buckingham Palace said the Queen will not attend Sunday service this weekend
- The monarch and Prince Philip are currently on the Balmoral Estate in Scotland
- Normally on a Sunday while in residence, the Queen attends Crathie Kirk
- Crowds of people often line the road in the hope of seeing the Queen drive by
The Queen has decided not to attend church as usual in Scotland tomorrow as a ‘sensible precaution’ against coronavirus.
As Head of the Church of England and someone with a strong personal faith, the monarch normally worships at Crathie Kirk, the nearest church to her Balmoral Estate on Royal Deeside, when she is in residence.
Crowds always gather to catch a glimpse of the sovereign as she drives in.
Queen Elizabeth, pictured leaving Crathie Kirk near her Balmoral estate on October 6, 2019 will not be attending this Sunday’s service due to the threat of Covid-19
Groups of people often wait out to see the Queen as she attends the weekly service
The Royal regiment of Scotland provided a guard of honour for the monarch last time she attended the kirk
But royal sources confirmed last night that that the 94-year-old royal, who flew for her annual summer stay to the castle with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, 99, earlier this week, would ‘sensibly’ stay away tomorrow and for the foreseeable future.
‘It is simply a sensible precaution in the circumstances,’ said an aide.
Crathie Kirk, where royals have worshipped fro 150 years, has been closed during the pandemic.
But its Church of Scotland minister, the Rev Kenneth Mackenzie, has confirmed he will re-open for Sunday morning services.
Under current guidance all worshippers must fill in a form giving contact details for possible Covid-tracing, wear face masks and avoid singing.
In addition social distancing at the church means there will be only 18 to 20 pews available – one for each household – giving a maximum capacity of between 30 and 40.
Mr Mackenzie also thought it ‘very unlikely’ crowds would be allowed to gather outside like normal to watch the Royal Family arrive and depart for church.
The Church of Scotland advice to parishes allowed places of worship to reopen for communal services from July 15.
Buckingham Palace said any alternative plans for the Queen’s Sunday worship would be private.
She plans to stay up at Balmoral until early October, with various family members visiting over the summer.