Queen Kicks Up Furor by Skipping Soccer Memorial

Queen Elizabeth II and other leading royals were fiercely criticized today for deciding to stay away from a memorial service for the 95 victims of the Hillsborough soccer disaster.

The Duke and Duchess of Kent, relatively low in the royal hierarchy, will be at Liverpool’s Anglican cathedral Saturday. Local dignitaries will represent the queen, her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, and other senior royals.

Keva Coombes, leader of the Liverpool City Council, said: “If we can send the Duke of Edinburgh to Emperor Hirohito’s funeral, surely someone like (Anne) the Princess Royal could attend this service.”

Rogan Taylor, chairman of the Soccer Supporters’ Assn., added: “Liverpool people are bright enough to draw their own conclusions about this. If they do not come, we will not miss them.”

The Duke of Kent, as the queen’s cousin and president of the Soccer Assn., and his wife were the most appropriate royals to attend, a spokesman said.

Prince Charles is to visit Liverpool’s Anfield stadium next week to meet officials and those coping with the aftermath of the tragedy.

Last December the queen was criticized for staying away from a memorial service for the 270 people killed when a Pan Am jumbo jet exploded over the Scottish town of Lockerbie.