The Queen has sprained her back and did not attend the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London.

Buckingham Palace said the 95-year-old monarch decided on Sunday morning (British time) “with great regret” not to go, and was “disappointed” to miss the event.

It is understood the Queen’s back sprain is unrelated to her doctor’s recent advice to rest.

“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,” the palace said.

The Queen has sprained her back and will miss the Remembrance Sunday service. Buckingham Palace said she is ‘disappointed’. Full statement below pic.twitter.com/K4gEAJWGAV

— Daniel Faitaua (@DanielFaitaua) November 14, 2021

“Her Majesty is disappointed that she will miss the service.

“As in previous years, a wreath will be laid on Her Majesty’s behalf by the Prince of Wales.

“His Royal Highness, along with the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra will be present at the Cenotaph today as planned.”

The Queen was said to be deeply disappointed to miss the service, which she regards as one of the most significant engagements of the year, and she hoped to continue as planned with her schedule of light official duties next week.

The monarch was due to watch the service at the war memorial in central London from the balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office building.

Her attendance at the service was confirmed by the palace on Thursday after she was ordered to rest by royal doctors just over three weeks ago and spent a night in hospital on October 20 undergoing preliminary tests.

The palace had previously said it was the Queen’s “firm intention” to attend the annual wreath-laying service in Whitehall.

The monarch, who lived through the World War II as a teenager, is head of the armed forces and attaches great importance to the poignant service and to commemorating the sacrifices made by fallen servicemen and women.

The Queen has missed several other events, including the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday night.

She returned to Windsor Castle on Tuesday after a long-planned weekend away at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk.