Queen Elizabeth II: Doctors ‘concerned’ about health as family travels to Scotland to see her; Trudeau says ‘thoughts’ are with Royals
The latest news and analysis on Queen Elizabeth II's health as the Royal Family joins her in Scotland at Balmoral Castle. For more on the Royals, visit here.
12 p.m. ET: Throughout her tenure, the queen has also built a bond with the people of Great Britain through a seemingly endless series of public appearances as she opened libraries, dedicated hospitals and bestowed honors on deserving citizens.
I have no knowledge of precisely her health condition, but I get the feeling, somehow, we might be being prepared for something," Deborah Langton, 67, a semi-retired translator, said outside Buckingham Palace. And if that is, you know, the end, then that's going to be very sad, I think, for a lot of people."
Elizabeth, who famously dedicated her whole life" to the service of Britain and the Commonwealth on her 21st birthday, has ruled out the idea of abdicating. As recently as Wednesday she issued a statement after the killing of at least 10 people in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, saying: I mourn with all Canadians at this tragic time."
11:57 a.m. ET: On Thursday, the nation's attention was firmly fixed on the queen, with the BBC switching to nonstop coverage of the monarch's condition.
It's quite sad, really," Kristian Ctylok, a 32-year-old London resident said. I think half the country is probably expecting it because she's been quite frail for a while. But, you know, I guess no one thought the day would come, really. So hopefully it's not as bad as what it seems."
11:20 a.m. ET: Prince William, Charles' eldest son, and the Queen's other sons Princes Andrew and Edward has landed in Aberdeen, Scotland. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were en route to join the rest of the family at Balmoral Castle.
10:53 a.m. ET: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted a message of support for the Queen: My thoughts, and the thoughts of Canadians across the country, are with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at this time. We're wishing her well, and sending our best to the Royal Family."
10:48 a.m. ET: Canada's Gov. General Mary Simon tweeted a message of support as the Queen receives medical supervision." The Gov. General joins all Canadians in sending thoughts of comfort and healing to her and her family," the message read.
10:24 a.m. ET: The palace has declined to provide further details about the queen's condition, but there were other worrying signs, as PM Liz Truss was interrupted on the floor of the House of Commons to note her condition and family members cancelled long-planned engagements to travel to the Highlands.
7:45 a.m. ET: Queen Elizabeth II has been placed under medical supervision because doctors are concerned for Her Majesty's health," Buckingham Palace said Thursday, as members of the royal family travelled to Scotland to be with the 96-year-old monarch.
The announcement comes a day after the queen cancelled a virtual meeting of her Privy Council when doctors advised her to rest following a full day of events on Tuesday, when she formally asked Liz Truss to become prime minister.
Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen's doctors are concerned for Her Majesty's health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision,'' a palace spokesperson said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with customary policy. The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral."
Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, and his wife, Camilla, are with the queen after travelling to Balmoral Castle, the queen's summer vacation home, to be with her. Prince William, Charles' eldest son, is en route.
Elizabeth marked seven decades on the throne this year. She has increasingly handed over duties to Charles and other members of the royal family in recent months as she struggled to get around.
The whole country will be deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime," Truss said on Twitter.
My thoughts - and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom - are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time."
The Privy Council, a group of the monarch's senior advisers, was due to formally swear in Truss and her new Cabinet members at Wednesday's meeting. The session will be held at a later date.