Prince William and Catherine to Represent Royal Family at Commonwealth Games

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Catherine, have been given an important role by Queen Elizabeth as she continues to step back from royal duties.

Reports suggest that the couple will attend the Commonwealth Games from July 28th to August 8th, after it was confirmed that the Queen will not be attending due to mobility issues.

The Commonwealth Games is an international multi-sporting event that takes place every four years, featuring athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations.

This year's event will be held in Birmingham, England.

The Queen's recent mobility problems have forced her to miss several royal events, and transportation measures aimed at ensuring her maximum comfort during engagements have raised questions.

Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the 96-year-old monarch has decided to bow out of this year's Commonwealth Games due to concerns surrounding travel.

Despite a recent royal engagement with Princess Anne to open a new facility, Her Majesty has decided not to attend the Games.

In her absence, Prince Charles, wife Duchess Camilla, as well as Prince William and Catherine will be representing the royal family.

The Prince of Wales is expected to attend the opening ceremony in Birmingham on July 28th, while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will attend events throughout the ceremony.

Although the Queen will be absent from the sporting events, which sees Commonwealth countries go head-to-head, she will be present in other forms.

The decision to miss the event will be a blow for the long-reigning monarch, who has always held the Commonwealth Games close to her heart and was present last time they were held in the UK in 2014.

It comes as the 96-year-old has taken a step back from attending some events in an official capacity over the last few months as she deals with mobility issues.

According to the Daily Mail, the Queen was expected to remain in Balmoral, Scotland for the duration of the Games, after flying up for her summer break.

Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will open the Games for the third time in Birmingham on July 28th.

This year's Games are set to see a bumper turnout from members of the royal family as they are being held on home ground.

The likes of Prince William and his wife Catherine, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, and Princess Anne will all attend events over the course of the 12 days.

The Games, which feature competitors from 72 Commonwealth nations in 20 sports, will draw to an end on Monday August 8th, with Prince Edward delivering a speech at the closing ceremony.

It will be a bitter blow for the Queen to miss this year's event, having only missed a handful of engagements related to the Games over the last seven decades.

Her Majesty is expected to remain in Scotland during the Games, where she is scheduled to spend her summer break.

The monarch went up to her official residence in Balmoral yesterday, after carrying out her royal duties at Windsor Castle earlier in the week.

Despite the sweltering heat, which saw parts of the country hit with temperatures above 40 centigrade, she soldiered on by welcoming new US Ambassador Jane Hartley during a virtual audience.

She was seen looking out the window of a car as a police convoy led her vehicle away from Windsor Castle ahead of the flight up to Scotland on Thursday.

Her Majesty usually spends her summer break at the castle, which has been outfitted with a number of adaptations, making it more accessible and wheelchair-friendly in recent years.

The castle was bought for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852 and has been the Scottish home of the royal family since.

She usually arrives at the estate in mid-July.

The Queen will be at the estate when the Games open on July 28th, and it is thought the journey down to Birmingham from the Highlands would be too taxing.

The Alexander Stadium ceremony is expected to be watched by one billion people worldwide.