Palace’s mixed messages over Queen’s health

Rumours about monarch’s condition thrived in the absence of reliable details, says BBC’S Witchell

BUCKINGHAM Palace has been told it risks allowing rumours about the Queen’s health to “thrive”, after it emerged she spent a night in hospital undergoing “preliminary” tests.

The palace, which released a statement on Wednesday saying the Queen had “reluctantly accepted” medical advice to “rest”, was later forced to confirm Her Majesty had later been in hospital for nearly 24 hours, after it was leaked to a tabloid newspaper.

Yesterday, the Queen was said to be back at Windsor Castle and on “light duties”, dealing with her “red box” as usual and thought to be awaiting the results of tests.

She was last seen in public on Tuesday night, where she appeared in full health as she hosted a reception for business leaders.

The next morning, she was compelled to cancel a planned trip to Northern Ireland on the advice of doctors who told her she needed rest.

Last week, she used a walking stick during an engagement for “comfort” for the first time, and it emerged she has given up drinking alcohol to stay in top shape after taking doctors’ advice.

Royal commentators raised questions over how the matter had been dealt with, urging Buckingham Palace to act with more transparency on the serious matter of the Queen’s health.

“The problem it seems to me is that rumour and misinformation always thrives in the absence of proper, accurate and trustworthy information,” Nicholas Witchell, the BBC royal correspondent said.

“We’re told that she’s in good spirits. That would certainly be in line with her stoical character, but that’s a phrase that’s a little bit of a cliché now.

“We’re told that she is back at Windsor Castle undertaking light duties. Well, we must hope we can place reliance on what the palace is telling us.”

Late on Thursday night, in response to a story in The Sun, the palace released a statement to say: “Following medical advice to rest for a few days, the Queen attended hospital on Wednesday afternoon for some preliminary investigations, returning to Windsor Castle at lunchtime today, and remains in good spirits.”

The journey from Windsor to the King Edward VII’S hospital in London was made by car.

Unlike more routine matters, when the Queen’s medics are able to examine and treat her at home, the tests required specialist doctors and medical equipment only available in hospital.

The overnight stay was for “practical” reasons, a source said.

It is understood the Queen was due to stay in hospital only for a short period, with aides choosing not to make a public statement to protect her privacy.

The Royal Standard remained flying at Windsor Castle throughout the overnight trip.

The Queen is now understood to have conceded to work “light duties”, only dealing with her red box, reading paperwork, making some calls and seeing close aides.

The palace is awaiting further information before confirming whether she will be taking part in any public engagements next week.

The Queen plans to travel to Glasgow to attend Cop26 on Nov 1.

Oct 6: Her Majesty meets soldiers from the 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery on Oct 7: The Queen dispatches the Commonwealth Games 2022 baton on a global relay from the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, accompanied by the Earl of Wessex. duty at Windsor Castle, presenting the Captain General’s Sword. She holds two video audiences with the ambassador from the Hellenic Republic and high commissioner for Belize in London. She also speaks to Prime Minister Boris Johnson for their weekly audience via telephone.

Oct 1: The Queen and the Prince of Wales plant a tree at Balmoral Castle as part of a special initiative marking her Platinum Jubilee. Oct 2: Opening the new session of the Scottish Parliament, right, giving a speech in which she urges MSPS to “help create a better, healthier future” by tackling climate change.

Oct 19: She holds two video audiences, with the Japanese and EU ambassadors, and hosts a reception with global business leaders at Windsor Castle, above. Oct 20: The Queen cancels a trip to Northern Ireland and has “reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days”, Buckingham Palace says. She was due to attend a service marking the centenary of the partition of Ireland and the formation of Northern Ireland.

Oct 13: Her Majesty presents the Queen’s Medal for Music to Dame Imogen Cooper, right, at Buckingham Palace. Oct 14: The Queen formally opens the Welsh Parliament in Cardiff and is heard to share her “irritation” about leaders who “talk but don’t do” on tackling climate change.

Oct 16: She enjoys a day at the races at Ascot, presenting the trophy for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes during the Qipco British Champions Day. Oct 18: The Queen holds a video call with Dame Cindy Kiro, the new governor-general of New Zealand and the first female Maori in that role.

Oct 12: With the Princess Royal, she attends a service marking the centenary of the Royal British Legion at Westminster Abbey. She uses a walking stick.