Kate Hawkesby: We should allow the Queen to age

At almost 96 years old, I can understand the Queen feeling frail, and with the family she’s got, and the headaches they’ve given her over the past few years, it’s nothing short of a miracle that she’s still in such good health. 
How good though? That’s the burning question at the moment.  
There are many conflicting reports about her mobility. Some say she’s using a wheelchair, that she struggles to move around and that she’s unable to stand for long periods of time. Royal sources say they’re pacing her diary now. Not before time. I know she’s committed herself to a lifetime of service, and she’s dedicated to the bitter end, but surely at almost 96 years old and having lost your husband, you could forgive her just taking it easy now.  
I’d love her to just have a cup of tea and a lie down, but either she, or those she surrounds herself with, seem adamant she keeps working. That’s seemingly becoming physically quite a challenge now though, and word is she’s too proud to be seen in a wheelchair for fear it makes her look feeble. If true, that saddens me, because you should be allowed to age and find what’s comfortable for you without the condemnation or judgement of others. 
If she’s seen in a wheelchair, yes it may indicate frailty, but it certainly doesn’t indicate frailty of the mind. If your body starts giving up, that’s one thing, but your mind doesn’t necessarily follow suit. It’s also an indictment on our anti-ageing culture – where the obsession with youth and work has become the holy grail. The grind, the hustle, the agility, the youth, that’s the temple we bow down to these days.  
And yet what’s wrong with rest? And respite? And growing old, and accepting your legs don’t work as well anymore? 
Surely from a woman whose served her whole life, 70 years on the throne, and been through as much as she has, she could be forgiven for taking a load off these days? I also think it would serve as a great example to working women and mothers everywhere that you don’t need to turn yourself inside out to ‘keep up appearances’ as you age.  
I mean yes, I get it, she’s the Queen, she’s a bit different to you and me, and she takes her role very seriously, but would it be the worst thing in the world if she just stopped and said, enough already? I’m done, I’m off for a G&T and a bit of Corrie?   
Pushing to keep up appearances, maintain a work schedule, and then suddenly dropping dead of sheer exhaustion would be worse, I think. She’s earned some downtime, I don’t begrudge her it at all. I wish she’d embrace her wheelchair, some quieter days, and just get those royal feet up. 
I don’t know why I have such affection for the Queen, maybe because she’s been around my whole life as this enigma, ruling over this unruly family. But when she does go, wouldn’t it be preferable that she’d had a lovely relaxing last few years.. rather than spending her final moments hiding a wheelchair, as she tries to ‘keep up appearances’ by carrying on working?

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