Queen attends double christening for great-grandsons after health concerns

Princess Eugenie’s son, August, was christened alongside Mike and Zara Tindall’s son, Lucas Philip

The Queen has attended a double royal christening following recent health concerns that saw her withdraw a number of official engagements earlier this month.

A joint baptism, hosted by mothers Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall, took place on Sunday evening at the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire.

Eugenie’s son, August, was christened alongside Mike and Zara Tindall’s son, Lucas Philip.

The party was made up of immediate members of the family and close friends. Other attendees include the Duke of York and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

It comes after days after the Queen was seen at her first official engagement since missing the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph because of a sprained back.

Princess Eugenie arrives at the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park (PA)

The monarch was photographed standing and smiling while meeting Britain’s most senior uniformed military adviser and outgoing head of the armed forces General Sir Nick Carter at Windsor Castle, marking her return to official engagements.

Concerns surrounding her health have increased since last month, when she spent a night in hospital for what Buckingham Palace described as “preliminary checks”. Doctors advised her to rest and not travel.

On 20 October the Queen cancelled a two-day trip to Northern Ireland following medical advice to rest. Buckingham Palace confirmed she spent the night in hospital where she underwent tests.

At the end of October, it was confirmed by the palace that the Queen was advised by her doctors to rest for at least a further two weeks, forcing her to miss official visits including the UN climate summit in Glasgow and the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday 13 November.

In her stead, she recorded video message played during a welcoming reception for presidents and prime ministers at Cop26, in which she said she hoped the summit’s legacy would be that they recognised “the time for words has now moved to the time for action”.

The central London service was due to be the Queen’s first public appearance in almost four weeks since a hospital stay last month.

Buckingham Palace said that “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.

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