Queen Silvia of Sweden, aged 82, was scheduled to attend the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, but has canceled her trip due to illness, as reported by Aftonbladet. The Swedish royal couple was meant to arrive in Italy together, but now only King Carl Gustaf, 79, will be present at the event to support the Swedish athletes. This cancellation adds to previous instances where the queen was unable to participate in important events due to her health condition.

According to Johan Tegel, a deputy communications chief at the royal court, the queen's decision to withdraw from the Olympics was prompted by her sickness, exacerbated by the cold weather conditions. Tegel emphasized that the queen is currently ill with a flu that necessitates her distancing from others. This announcement reflects the ongoing health challenges faced by the queen, who recently also missed a significant event, the annual Advent celebration hosted by the German Women’s Club, highlighting concerns regarding her well-being.

The absence of Queen Silvia at such a significant international event underscores the implications of health issues within royal family dynamics and public appearances. While King Carl Gustaf will represent Sweden at the Olympics, the royal family's continued engagement in public life is clouded by these health-related concerns. It raises awareness about the importance of health in managing royal duties and participation in public events, especially for older members of the royal family.