The Queen will break with tradition and not lay a wreath at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday, with Prince Charles carrying out her duties instead.

Placing the wreath at the base of the Whitehall monument requires the monarch, who is 91, to walk backwards down the stone steps.

The Queen will stand with the Duke of Edinburgh on a Foreign Office balcony to observe the service.

As head of the armed forces, Remembrance Sunday is seen as a significant event in the Queen's royal diary.

Image: The Queen pictured laying the first wreath at last year's event

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman added: "The Queen wishes to be alongside the Duke of Edinburgh and he will be in the balcony."


The Palace also confirmed to Sky News that it is not the first time the Queen has not placed a wreath on Remembrance Sunday.

She missed the event while she was pregnant with Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, and when she has been overseas on tours.

It has also been announced that Prince Philip's equerry will lay his wreath.

Image: The Queen has handed over some of her duties to to younger members of the family

It was announced in May that the Duke was retiring from public duties, but the palace said he would still appear alongside the Queen for some engagements.

Buckingham Palace said this year's arrangements may not necessarily be the same for next year's service.

On Tuesday, the Queen flew back from Scotland after spending the summer in Balmoral.

A spokeswoman said her diary is almost exactly the same pace as at this time last year.

She has already handed some official duties to younger members of the family, as three generations are now full-time working royals

The Queen also no longer carries out overseas tours.