UK's Prince Charles to deliver opening address at COP26

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prince Charles, Patron of Samaritans, gestures before cutting a cake during a visit to the Gloucester and District Branch of Samaritans in Gloucester, to celebrate their 50th Anniversary and hear about the recent work of their charity, Gloucester, Britain, October 26, 2021. Jacob King/Pool via REUTERS

LONDON (Reuters) - British heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles will speak at the opening ceremony of the COP26 United Nations climate summit on Monday to welcome world leaders, his office said, a day after Queen Elizabeth pulled out on doctors' advice.

The 95-year-old queen is a draw for other world leaders so her withdrawal is a blow to the event in Glasgow.