Health issues the Queen has faced in recent years | UK News
The thoughts of the nation and the Commonwealth have turned to the Queen after Buckingham Palace announced her doctors are “concerned for her health”.
In light of the statement, released on Thursday afternoon, all the Queen’s children, along with Prince William and Prince Harry, are travelling to be with her at Balmoral.
Queen placed under medical supervision – follow live updates
Here Sky News looks back at Her Majesty’s health in recent years.
A knee operation and cataracts surgery
The Queen went to hospital for a knee operation in 2003 and used a stick in public for around two weeks afterwards.
She had another hospital stay in 2013 after suffering a nasty bout of gastroenteritis.
In 2016, she used a lift, rather than the 26-step royal staircase, to enter parliament for its state opening.
Two years later in 2018 she had successful surgery to treat cataracts in one of her eyes.
On 12 October 2021, at the age of 95, she was pictured using a walking stick at Westminster Abbey – the first time she appeared to need one for mobility issues.
Queen uses a walking stick at Westminster Abbey on 12 October 2021
She was given doctors’ orders to rest that month and cancelled a series of engagements as a result.
On 20 October last year, she spent a night at the private King Edward VII Hospital in central London – her first overnight hospital stay in eight years.
Buckingham Palace said she was admitted for “preliminary investigations” – but returned to Windsor Castle a day later and “remained in good spirits”.
The following month, she was unable to attend the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday after spraining her back.
Prince Charles lays a wreath at the Cenotaph for the absent Queen on 14 November 2021
After she remarked to a member of the public that she “couldn’t move”, Buckingham Palace declined to comment but it was understood she had been feeling slightly stiff – rather than being injured or unwell.
On 21 February this year, it was reported the Queen had tested positive for coronavirus.
Doctors and nurses speak to the Queen virtually on 10 April 2022
Buckingham Palace said she suffered “mild cold-like symptoms” but recovered as she was understood to have received three vaccine doses.
She later remarked in a phone call with doctors, nurses and bereaved COVID families that the virus left her “very tired and exhausted”.
The Queen and Prince Charles during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June
Recent mobility problems
In May, the Queen’s “episodic mobility problems” meant she had to miss the state opening of parliament for the first time in 59 years.
She was also absent from much of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Her Majesty uses a stick at a hospice opening in Berkshire in July this year
This week, for the first time during her reign, she had to appoint the UK’s new prime minister at Balmoral, not Buckingham Palace.
She had been there for her summer break and was advised not to travel, receiving Liz Truss in Scotland instead.
A day later she cancelled a virtual meeting of the Privy Council after a “full day on Tuesday”.
The Queen inside the Balmoral drawing room on Tuesday
On Thursday, Buckingham Palace released this statement: “Following further evaluation this morning, The Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision.
“The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.”
Sky News royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills noted that members of the Royal Family “do not cancel engagements lightly” after it was announced that all four of the Queen’s children, along with Prince William and Prince Harry, were travelling to be with her at Balmoral.