Queen of England Hospitalised

Queen of England

Queen Elizabeth 11 was Sunday taken to hospital for the first time in 10 years, with a stomach bug, according to sources at the Buckingham Palace in London.

The 86-year-old Queen of England was admitted at  King Edward VII Hospital in London, as a precaution, while she was assessed for symptoms of gastroenteritis, Buckingham Palace was quoted by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) as saying.

To this effect, all official engagements for this week, including her trip to Rome in Italy would be either cancelled or postponed.

Gastroenteritis causes inflammation of the stomach lining and intestines. The infection can be transmitted through contact with an infected person or contaminated food and drink. Symptoms could include vomiting, fever and stomach ache.

The BBC said the Queen was driven to hospital by private car yesterday, and the palace maintained that she was “in good spirits.”

The Queen, who had earlier carried out a medal presentation at Windsor Palace, where she had been resting over the weekend, would remain in hospital under observation for about two days, BBC said.

Officials had said on Friday that Elizabeth was dealing with a stomach bug. She had to cancel a visit Swansea, Wales, on Saturday to present leeks-a national symbol-to soldiers of the Royal Welsh Regiment in honour of Wales’ national day, St. David’s Day.

Elizabeth, who celebrated 60 years on the throne last year, rarely missed engagements due to ill-health. About five months ago, she cancelled an engagement due to a bad back ache.

Reports of her illness emerged on Friday night, and she was forced to cancel a trip to Swansea on Saturday to mark St. David’s Day in a military ceremony.

Ingrid Seward, the editor of the British magazine Majesty, said the queen “probably agreed to be hospitalised in order to get better quickly,” Huffingtom Post reported.

“Everybody will want to be wishing her a speedy recovery,” she told Sky News television.

The Queen had been due to spend two days in Rome with the Duke of Edinburgh next weekend, at the invitation of Italy’s President Giorgio Napolitano.

It is not now clear whether the visit will be re-scheduled.
A reception at Buckingham Palace scheduled for tomorrow for MPs and MEPs would go ahead with other members of the royal family present.