The Queen is to rest for two more weeks on doctors’ orders in the most significant absence of her long reign, as Buckingham Palace confirmed on Friday that she would miss events linked to Remembrance Sunday.

       The Queen, who has been undergoing tests for an unknown illness, will not undertake any official visits in public and is confined to desk-based duties only.

       She is to miss the Festival of Remembrance on November 13, but has the “firm intention” to be there to watch the annual wreath-laying on Remembrance Sunday.

       In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, it was confirmed that the Queen’s doctors want her to rest for at least two more weeks.

       The news will cause deep concern amongst her admirers, who have feared for Her Majesty’s health after she was compelled to pull out of a trip to Northern Ireland and the Cop26 summit next week.

       While the Queen has been absent from public life due to ill health before, when suffering heavy colds or while recuperating from minor operations, the announcement that she is going to take two weeks away from the public caused consternation among royal-watchers.

       A spokesman for the palace said: “Following on from their recent advice that the Queen should rest for a few days, Her Majesty’s doctors have advised that she should continue to rest for at least the next two weeks.

       “The doctors have advised that Her Majesty can continue to undertake light, desk-based duties during this time, including some virtual audiences, but not to undertake any official visits.

       “Her Majesty regrets that this means she will be unable to attend the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday, November 13.

       “However, it remains the Queen’s firm intention to be present for the National Service of Remembrance on Remembrance Sunday, on November 14.”

       The Queen is continuing to undertake “light duties” at home in Windsor Castle, understood to mean telephone calls, virtual meetings and reading her red boxes.

       Her Majesty in 'good spirits'

       Said to still be in “good spirits”, she has pre-recorded her speech to the Cop26 summit in Glasgow. It is due to be played to delegates on Monday.

       A royal source said her diary for next week was light. The advice to rest was said to be a “sensible precaution” from medics.

       The cancellation of the Festival of Remembrance is a major concession from the Queen, who lived through the war and makes the annual honouring of veterans a key part of her work.

       The festival is hosted by the Royal British Legion and sees members of the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces past and present come together for musical performances and readings.

       The Queen’s presence would likely have required navigating stairs, as well as being on show for the cameras for a prolonged period of time.

       The more traditional Remembrance Sunday service could see a more manageable appearance on a balcony to watch the wreath-laying, with simpler logistics to reduce the distance she had to walk or length of standing.

       She has recently been photographed using a walking stick for “comfort”, and has been advised by doctors to give up drinking.

       Nine days ago, it emerged that what was reported as tiredness requiring the cancellation of a flight to Northern Ireland was something more, requiring an overnight stay at the King Edward VII hospital in London for “preliminary tests”.

       A few days later, having taken the advice of specialist doctors, Buckingham Palace confirmed Her Majesty would be undertaking light duties inside Windsor Castle only.