Oh NP, I'm so sorry.
Did he offer up anything that he could do instead?
I mean, ok, he feels he can't physically be there because boundaries -- it'd help if he said "not because I don't want to; only because I am not allowed to" and maybe, idk, offered to schedule a phone call immediately before and after? At least expressed his care and concern by offering as much as he can give.

((((NP)))) You do matter... you do.