Prince Edward will be standing in for the Queen at a service in Essex commemorating the tragic East Coast floods.
The Queen had been due to visit Chelmsford Cathedral for the ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the terrible night when more than 300 people died on the night of January 31, 1953 - 59 of them on Canvey.
However, a recent operation on her knee has meant the Queen cannot attend the memorial later this month and instead Edward, the Earl of Wessex and his wife Sophie, will be representing the Royal Family.
The service would have involved large amounts of standing and walking at a time when the Queen is supposed to be resting from surgery to her cartilage.
A Palace spokesman said: "The Earl and Countess of Wessex were happy to represent the Queen.''
The Queen, 76, left hospital on Tuesday after surgeons removed cartilage in her right knee.
She is now convalescing at her Norfolk estate and having regular physiotherapy. This is the second disappointment Canvey councillor Ray Howard has had regarding a Royal visit.
Last year he invited the Queen to Canvey to take part in commemorative events happening on the island but she turned him down.
Speaking after today's news he said: "Obviously I am very upset and disappointed. I was looking forward to meeting her. However, I understand all the arrangements are going ahead as planned except that, instead of the Queen and Prince Philip, we will have Edward and Sophie."
Published Friday, January 17, 2003
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