For the first time in 44 years, UK Queen to skip Commonwealth Games

A packed appointments schedule has led Britain’s Queen Elizabeth to skip the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October. This will be the first time in 44 years that the monarch will be absent from the signature event.

Her heir, Prince Charles, will represent the British royal family.

“Prince Charles will represent the Royal Family in India and a message of support from the Monarch to the athletes will be read out,” the ‘Daily Mail’ reported.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “It is correct to say that the Queen will not be attending the Commonwealth Games this year. The sheer volume of engagements this autumn, coupled with other overseas visits, means she would not be able to attend.”

“The British High Commission in Delhi said it was delighted that Prince Charles would represent Her Majesty at the opening ceremony on October 3,” he added.

At previous edition of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, in 2006, the Queen had described the event as a “great sporting celebration”.

“The Commonwealth Games are both a product of our unique organisation as well as a tangible example of the value of this partnership of peoples,” she had said.