Family members rushed to the side of Queen Elizabeth II after doctors said they were worried about the 96-year-old monarch’s health on Thursday, saying she would need to remain under medical observation. The Queen, Britain’s longest-serving sovereign and the world’s oldest monarch, has been suffering from what Buckingham Palace calls “episodic mobility problems” since late last year. “Following further assessment this morning, the Queen’s doctors are concerned about Her Majesty’s health and have advised her to remain under medical observation.” “The Queen also remains comfortable at Balmoral,” the palace said in a statement. Her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles, and his wife Camilla traveled to her home in Scotland, Balmoral Castle, where she lives with his eldest son, Prince William, officials said. Her other children – Anne, Andrew and Edward – were also on their way to the castle. A spokesman said Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, in Britain for a series of events, would also travel to Scotland. “My prayers, and those of people across @churchofengland and the nation, are with Her Majesty the Queen today,” Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, tweeted. Last October, the Queen spent a night in hospital and has since been forced to curtail her public engagements. On Wednesday she canceled a virtual meeting with senior ministers after doctors advised her to rest. The previous day he had been photographed appointing Liz Truss as the country’s new prime minister at Balmoral. A palace source downplayed speculation that the monarch had suffered a fall.
RECORD KINGDOM
Elizabeth has been queen of Britain and more than a dozen other countries since 1952, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and earlier this year marked 70 years on the throne with four days of national celebrations in June. “I have been inspired by the kindness, joy and kinship that has been so evident over the past few days, and I hope this renewed sense of camaraderie will be felt for many years to come,” he said at the time. Elizabeth came to the throne after the death of her father, King George VI, on 6 February 1952, when she was just 25 years old. He was crowned in June of the following year. The first televised coronation was a foretaste of a new world in which the lives of royals were to be increasingly scrutinized by the media. He became monarch at a time when Britain retained much of its empire. It was emerging from the ravages of World War II, with food rationing still in place and class and privilege still dominating society. Winston Churchill was the first Prime Minister to serve during her reign, Joseph Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union, the Korean War was raging. Truce is the record-breaking 15th premiere of her reign. The prime minister said: “My thoughts – and the thoughts of people across our UK – are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time.” Lindsay Hoyle, speaker of the House of Commons, interrupted an energy debate in parliament to say he sent his best wishes to the monarch. “Along with the rest of the country, I am deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this afternoon,” said opposition Labor leader Keir Starmer. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Twitter: “We are all deeply concerned by the reports about Her Majesty’s health. My thoughts and wishes are with the Queen and the entire Royal Family at this time.” (Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Kate Holton and Janet Lawrence)
My prayers, and the prayers of people across @churchofengland and the nation, are with Her Majesty the Queen today. May God’s presence strengthen and comfort Her Majesty, her family and those who care for her at Balmoral. — Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) September 8, 2022
The whole country will be deeply concerned with the news from Buckingham Palace this afternoon. My thoughts – and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom – are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time. — Liz Truss (@trussliz) September 8, 2022
We are all deeply troubled by reports of Her Majesty’s health. My thoughts and wishes are with the Queen and the entire Royal Family at this time. — Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) September 8, 2022
