Queen's Grandson: Cancelled Engagements Are No Surprise

6 June 2013

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip

Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's grandson Peter Phillips says it will be "no surprise" if they attend fewer engagements as they get older.

The royal couple's eldest grandson - the only son of the Princess Royal and her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips - insisted the 87-year-old monarch and her husband, who turns 92 next week, have much busier schedules than other people their age.

He said: "You have also got to remember his age, both of their ages, you know. Still what they do at their age, they do a lot more than most other pensioners of their equivalent age.

"So if occasionally there is the odd engagement cancelled it shouldn't come as a surprise given the work load that they do have."

The queen and duke were at London's Westminster Abbey on Tuesday (04.06.13) to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the monarch's coronation, just one day after Philip was forced to cancel an engagement due to ill health.

The prince was admitted into hospital last summer with a bladder infection, while the queen was taken ill with gastroenteritis in March, but Peter is "hugely" proud of his grandmother and grandfather.

Speaking to ITV's 'Daybreak' yesterday (05.06.13), he added: "[I am] hugely [proud]. I think regardless of yesterday she is a great role model, she always has been.

"She is an inspiration to all of us. By us being able to attend these events it is showing our continued support for her and also the Duke of Edinburgh, for all that they have done, and everything that they continue to do not only for this country but also for us as a family."