Fears for Queen’s health surge as ‘traditional’ Balmoral welcome ceremony is axed for her ‘comfort’

Fears for the Queen's health have sparked once again following the cancellation of her 'traditional' Balmoral Castle welcome ceremony. 

• The Queen's 'traditional' Balmoral Castle ceremony has been replaced by a smaller event, a royal insider has revealed. 
• Her Majesty is normally greeted by a Guard of Honor and excited royal fans when she arrives at the Scotland residence to kick off her annual summer. 
• In other royal news, Kate Middleton and Prince William's luxurious £3.3K airport snack revealed.
  

The Queen's welcome ceremony at Balmoral Castle was canceled yesterday to accommodate the 96-year-old's 'comfort', according to a royal insider. 

Her Majesty was expected to attend a reception to kick off her summer break at the Scottish residence on Monday, as part of an age-old tradition that is 'normally cemented' in her busy calendar. 

For the past several decades, the monarch has stayed at the grandiose Balmoral Estate in Aberdeenshire from the end of July to the beginning of September. She is normally greeted at the $140m property's gates by a Guard of Honor and hundreds of fans, many of whom have traveled long distances for a glimpse at the royal matriarch in person. 

This summer's reception, however, has been replaced by a 'small, private ceremony' that will be closed off to the public. It's understood that the decision was made at the last minute, amid ongoing concerns for the Queen's physical health as she comes to the end of her Platinum Jubilee year. Her Majesty will still inspect her loyal troops, but no photographers or tourists will be admitted entry to witness the ritual. 

The news comes shortly after it was revealed that the Queen has had a wheelchair-friendly lift fitted at Balmoral's cottage, Craigowan Lodge, to help with her increasing mobility needs. 

"The traditional welcome to Balmoral is normally cemented in the Queen's calendar and something Her Majesty really enjoys, being able to greet locals who travel to see her," a royal source told the Mirror. 

"It's a bitter disappointment the ceremony will not take place in its traditional form." 

Buckingham Palace has since explained that the cancellation is "in line with adapting Her Majesty's schedule for her comfort." 

Last year, the Queen arrived at Balmoral Castle to a warm reception of soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland and even an adorable Shetland pony. The trip marked Her Majesty's first summer break at the Scottish residence without Prince Philip, who died aged 99 at Windsor Castle the previous April.