​Queen Cancels Engagement At St Paul's Cathedral Due To Illness

The Queen has pulled out of an engagement at St Paul's Cathedral today because she is feeling 'under the weather'.

She was due to attend a service marking the 200th anniversary of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George, which is set to welcome other big names including actress Angelina Jolie.

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said: "The Queen is feeling under the weather today and has decided not to attend this morning's service at St Paul's Cathedral marking the 200th anniversary of the Order of St Michael and St George.

"Her Majesty will be represented by The Duke of Kent as Grand Master of the Order."

The spokesman added that despite her illness, she's still planning to go to Winsor Castle this afternoon for the weekend.

Sounds like a pretty elaborate sickie if ever I've heard one - she just wants to drink Pimms in the sunshine doesn't she?

Imagine having your very own Duke to stand in for you when you couldn't be arsed... "Sorry boss, I can't make it but I've sent someone else to take my place. It's all good, he's a royal - nice guy, actually."

The service the Queen's missing is for the Order of St Michael and St George, which is one of the orders of chivalry 'from which honours are granted by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister each year'.

According to the royal family's website, the order was first introduced in 1818 to recognise distinguished citizens of the Ionian islands (now part of Greece) and Malta, but it was expanded towards the end of the 19th century to 'reward distinguished service in British territories', as well as more generally in foreign affairs.

"The Order now consists of the Sovereign, the Grand Master (currently The Duke of Kent), 125 Knights and Dames Grand Cross, 375 Knights and Dames Commander, and 1750 Companions," the website explains.

"The Badge of the Order depicts St George fighting the dragon on one side, and the archangel St Michael trampling Satan on the other."

Sounds good and all, but Pimms in the garden at Windsor Castle sounds way more tempting with all this sun. We're with you, Liz.

Topics: UK News, News, Queen, UK, Royal Family

Jess Hardiman

Jess is a journalist at LADbible who graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics - indecisiveness at its finest, right there. She also works for FOODbible and its sister page Seitanists, which are both a safe haven for her to channel a love for homemade pasta, fennel and everything else in between. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

@Jess_Hardiman