Show only key events Please enable JavaScript to use this feature The Queen gathered on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with Prince Charles, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their three children for a special trip in June for her platinum jubilee celebrations. Photo: Daniel Leal/AFP/Getty ImagesJessica Elgot The first public signs that something was seriously wrong came with a flicker of activity in the House of Commons chamber as Liz Truss announced the energy price freeze. It was a sign that the situation could be more serious than the cautious words from Buckingham Palace suggested. The House of Commons had never been adjourned to hear news of the Queen’s health in this way. The prime minister had finished her opening speech and sat on the front bench next to the chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng. Labor leader Keir Starmer was in the middle of his response. However, MPs were distracted by the appearance of the new Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Nadhim Zahawi, who was not in the room for Truss’ speech. He slipped into the hall and stepped between Kwarteng and Truss to speak to the prime minister, handing her a note, then slipped out again. The eagle-eyed deputies began whispering to each other, wondering what was going on. It is not unusual for ministers and MPs to pass notes to each other in the chamber or help with numbers or answers to questions. But Truss had finished his speech. Zahawi returned to her side after a few minutes. Phil Dampier, royal writer and journalist, says it is clearly a “very serious situation” at Balmoral. Just recently, he notes to BBC News, she was walking around the estate and riding horses. If she dies, the Queen will be an “impossible act”, he warns. An Aberdeen-bound flight carrying seven members of the royal family is expected to land in about 10 minutes, BBC News reports, having taken off from RAF Northolt. Updated at 15.37 BST Speculation by Nicholas Witchell, the BBC’s royal correspondent, about the Queen’s possible health conditions (see 14:07) has attracted criticism from some journalists: I agree – totally confusing and weird to watch a Beeb royal correspondent offer competing theories about the Queen’s physical health as the nation tunes in https://t.co/66rAbMnvhG — Gabriel Pogrund (@Gabriel_Pogrund) September 8, 2022 The Bishop of Durham paid tribute to the Queen during a debate on education in the House of Lords. Reverend Paul Butler said: “I begin by expressing on behalf of the seat our concern for Her Majesty and the assurance of our thoughts and prayers for her and the royal family.” The Queen’s top doctor is Professor Huw Thomas, head of the medical household and physician to the Queen. He has been in the job since 2014 and was knighted last year. At the time, Thomas, who is also professor of gastrointestinal genetics in the department of surgery and cancer at Imperial College London, said: It’s been quite a busy couple of years in this role so I feel very grateful to be recognized for my service to date. He added: You become very much a part of this organization and you become the personal doctor of the key people in it, who are patients just like other patients. With the pandemic, the Medical Household’s main priority is trying to ensure that the people under its care are safe. He has also been involved in the delivery of some of the younger members of the royal family, including Charlotte in 2015 and Louis in 2018, the Press Association reports. Updated at 15.22 BST Mark Drakeford, the first minister for Wales, said the news of the Queen’s deteriorating health would lead to “an afternoon of sober reflection and anxiety for households across Wales”. At a press conference in Cardiff, responding to the Prime Minister’s announcement on energy, he said: I should start by simply reflecting on the news released by Buckingham Palace earlier today – an afternoon of sober reflection and anxiety for households across Wales. Of course, we will wish every sympathy and understanding to the members of the royal family gathered at Balmoral. Updated at 15.22 BST Labor peers and the crossbench have shared their wishes for the Queen. The Honorable Lord Patel said during a debate in the House of Lords that he “wishes Her Majesty the Queen”. Labor peer Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top said: “I too relate to the wishes and prayers that people have for the Royal Family.” Updated 15.06 BST
BBC One suspends regular programming
BBC One suspended its regular program following the announcement of the change in the Queen’s health. The broadcaster is broadcasting a BBC News special, which will be followed by the scheduled BBC News at Six. Presenter Huw Edwards wears a dark suit, white shirt and black tie, in line with the BBC’s dress code when a member of the royal family dies. Bargain Hunt was interrupted at 12.39pm to broadcast the statement from Buckingham Palace alerting the public to the concern of the royal doctors for the Queen’s health. Since then, the channel has been broadcasting rolling news about the Queen’s health. Zara Mohammed, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: Our thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family at this time. We wish Her Majesty a speedy and lasting recovery @ZaraM01 — MCB (@MuslimCouncil) September 8, 2022 Royal author Catherine Pepinster said “the tectonic plates are shifting” and that the UK is on the “bump of a new era”. If the Queen’s reign is indeed coming to an end, he tells BBC News, it will be a “traumatic” moment for the country. Updated at 14.54 BST TV crews were reporting outside Buckingham Palace this afternoon. Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images The scene outside Buckingham Palace this afternoon. Photo: Toby Melville/Reuters
