Here's Why Queen Elizabeth Wasn't in Attendance at the Remembrance Sunday Service

This past week, the U.K. observed Remembrance Day on November 11, a holiday which is meant to honor members of the Armed Forces who have died in the line of duty. Many of the traditions related to Remembrance Day include the royal family, like the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall and the Remembrance Sunday service.

However, when the service took place early this Sunday, there was one figure who was notably absent: Queen Elizabeth.

In a message from Buckingham Palace, it was revealed that Her Royal Majesty sprained her back prior to the event and was unable to attend. According to CNN, the official statement said, “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. Her Majesty is disappointed that she will miss the service.”

A royal source also added, “The Queen was deeply disappointed to miss the engagement which she considers one of the most significant engagements of the year, and hopes to continue as planned with her schedule of light official duties next week.”

While the queen was missing, her eldest son, Prince Charles, continued the tradition of laying a wreath at the Cenotaph, which was shown in a post on the royal family Instagram account.

Along with the photo, they said, “On behalf of The Queen, a wreath is laid by The Prince of Wales at the Cenotaph as part of the National Service of Remembrance. Designed by British architect Edwin Lutyens, the Cenotaph (meaning ‘empty tomb’) symbolises the unprecedented losses suffered during the First World War and has since become the National focal point of Remembrance. #RemembranceSunday #LestWeForget.”

In another post from the royal family, they detailed the members of the family who were at the service, saying, “On #RemembranceSunday, members of The Royal Family attended the National Service of Remembrance, with The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge, The Earl of Wessex and The Princess Royal laying wreaths at the Cenotaph. The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duchess of Cambridge, The Countess of Wessex, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, The Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence viewed the Service from the Foreign Office balcony.”