Queen Elizabeth II’s Hospital Stay: Everything We Know About Her Return to Work and More

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Queen Elizabeth II's Hospital Stay: Everything We Know About Her Return to Work and More

Staying strong. Queen Elizabeth II's health has been the subject of much speculation after she completed a short hospital stay in October, but the 95-year-old royal isn't ready to slow down too much. The monarch first sparked concern after she walked with a cane during an October 12 appearance at Westminster Abbey in London for a Service of Thanksgiving. When the queen arrived at the church, her daughter, Princess Anne, handed her the accessory. Earlier in the month, Elizabeth walked on her own during a visit to Scotland with her eldest son, Prince Charles. The royal matriarch is also the mother of Prince Andrew and Prince Edward with her late husband, Prince Philip, who died at age 99 in April. Three weeks after her Scottish appearance, the monarch canceled a trip to Northern Ireland after her medical team recommended that she take it easy. “The Queen has reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days,” Buckingham Palace said in an October 20 statement, adding that she was “in good spirits” and “disappointed” to miss the planned events. [jwplayer 7G79zGUy-zhNYySv2] One day later, a spokesperson for the palace revealed that Elizabeth spent the night in the hospital after canceling her Northern Ireland plans. “Following medical advice to rest for a few days, The Queen attended hospital on [October 20] for some preliminary investigations, returning to Windsor Castle at lunchtime today, and remains in good spirits,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement on October 21. The queen seemed to recuperate within a few days, returning to work on October 26 to receive ambassadors from Korea and Switzerland via video link. Later that day, however, Buckingham Palace confirmed that she would not attend an upcoming event in Scotland. “Her Majesty is disappointed not to attend the reception but will deliver an address to the assembled delegates via a recorded video message,” the palace said in a statement. The monarch was set to appear at a reception on November 1 with other world leaders, including President Joe Biden and U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Earlier in October, news broke that the queen previously declined an award called Oldie of the Year presented by The Oldie magazine. “Her Majesty believes you are as old as you feel,” Tom Laing-Baker, the royal's assistant private secretary, wrote in a letter that The Oldie shared via social media on October 19. "As such the Queen does not believe she meets the relevant criteria to be able to accept and hopes you find a more worthy recipient.” Keep scrolling for everything we know about the queen's recent health scare: [podcast_block]

Credit: Shutterstock

Queen Elizabeth II's Hospital Stay: Everything We Know About Her Return to Work and More

Staying strong. Queen Elizabeth II's health has been the subject of much speculation after she completed a short hospital stay in October, but the 95-year-old royal isn't ready to slow down too much. The monarch first sparked concern after she walked with a cane during an October 12 appearance at Westminster Abbey in London for a Service of Thanksgiving. When the queen arrived at the church, her daughter, Princess Anne, handed her the accessory. Earlier in the month, Elizabeth walked on her own during a visit to Scotland with her eldest son, Prince Charles. The royal matriarch is also the mother of Prince Andrew and Prince Edward with her late husband, Prince Philip, who died at age 99 in April. Three weeks after her Scottish appearance, the monarch canceled a trip to Northern Ireland after her medical team recommended that she take it easy. “The Queen has reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days,” Buckingham Palace said in an October 20 statement, adding that she was “in good spirits” and “disappointed” to miss the planned events. [jwplayer 7G79zGUy-zhNYySv2] One day later, a spokesperson for the palace revealed that Elizabeth spent the night in the hospital after canceling her Northern Ireland plans. “Following medical advice to rest for a few days, The Queen attended hospital on [October 20] for some preliminary investigations, returning to Windsor Castle at lunchtime today, and remains in good spirits,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement on October 21. The queen seemed to recuperate within a few days, returning to work on October 26 to receive ambassadors from Korea and Switzerland via video link. Later that day, however, Buckingham Palace confirmed that she would not attend an upcoming event in Scotland. “Her Majesty is disappointed not to attend the reception but will deliver an address to the assembled delegates via a recorded video message,” the palace said in a statement. The monarch was set to appear at a reception on November 1 with other world leaders, including President Joe Biden and U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Earlier in October, news broke that the queen previously declined an award called Oldie of the Year presented by The Oldie magazine. “Her Majesty believes you are as old as you feel,” Tom Laing-Baker, the royal's assistant private secretary, wrote in a letter that The Oldie shared via social media on October 19. "As such the Queen does not believe she meets the relevant criteria to be able to accept and hopes you find a more worthy recipient.” Keep scrolling for everything we know about the queen's recent health scare: [podcast_block]

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Using a Cane

The queen turned heads on October 12 when she appeared in public with a cane. She last publicly used a walking device in 2003 after knee surgery.

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The First Cancelation

“The Queen sends her warmest good wishes to the people of Northern Ireland, and looks forward to visiting in the future,” Buckingham Palace said in an October 20 statement after the monarch canceled her planned trip to Northern Ireland.

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The Hospital Visit

One day after the cancelation of the Northern Ireland trip, Buckingham Palace revealed that Elizabeth spent one night in the hospital on the advice of her medical team.

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Return to Work

An Instagram post from the royal family's official account showed the queen returning to work on October 26 for a video conference with two ambassadors.

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The Second Cancellation

Later in the day on October 26, Buckingham Palace announced that the queen would not appear in Scotland for an event to be held on November 1.

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A Virtual Meeting

The monarch held a video chat with David Constantine, the 2020 winner of The Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry, from Windsor Castle on October 28. "I'm very glad to have the chance to see you, if only mechanically, this morning," she told the poet.

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Doctors Advise Rest

Following her virtual meeting on October 28, the queen was advised by her doctors to rest for “at least” two weeks, according to Buckingham Palace.

“Her Majesty can continue to undertake light, desk-based duties during this time, including some virtual Audiences, but not to undertake any official visits," the October 29 statement continued. 

She will be unable to attend the Festival of Remembrance on November 13 — but intends to be present for the National Service of Remembrance the following day.

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In Good Form

“I spoke to her majesty and she’s on very good form,” Boris Johnson, the U.K.’s Prime Minister, told Channel 4 News on October 30 of the monarch’s health condition. “She’s just got to follow the advice of her doctors and get some rest and I think that’s the important thing. I think the whole country wishes her well.”

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She's Driving

The queen quelled fears about her health when she went out for a drive on Monday, November 1. She wore a headscarf and sunglasses as she drove her Jaguar around the Windsor estate.

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The First Speech

Hours after she was spotted driving — her first time seen out in public since her hospital stay — Queen Elizabeth appeared in a pre-recorded speech at the reception for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) reception, as promised. In her absence, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the Glasgow event in person.

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Back at Home

The queen returned home to Windsor Castle on November 9 after spending a few days at her estate in Sandringham. According to royal reporter Omid Scobie, she is expected to attend a ceremony for Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph war memorial in London on November 14.

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Remembrance Day Return

On November 11, Prince Charles offered an update on his mother’s health, letting the world know she was doing "alright." That same day, it was confirmed that the monarch would attend the annual Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph on November 14.

“As in previous years, Her Majesty will view the Service from the balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office,” a statement from the Palace read.

However, based on previous advice from her doctors, she will not go to the General Synod Service on November 16. Her son Prince Edward will attend as previously planned.

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A Sprained Back

The reigning monarch skipped the annual Remembrance Sunday Service on November 14.

“The Queen, having sprained her back, has decided this morning with great regret that she will not be able to attend today’s Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph,” a statement from Buckingham Palace read earlier that day. “Her Majesty is disappointed that she will miss the service.”

In her place, Prince Charles, Duchess Camilla, Prince William and Duchess Kate attended the occasion alongside other royal family members. The Prince of Wales even laid a wreath in his mother’s absence.

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Another Engagement

According to Buckingham Palace, the monarch spoke with General Sir Nicholas Carter at Windsor Castle on November 17 after missing the annual Remembrance Day service days prior. Despite her sprained back, she stood to greet her distinguished guest.

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Looking Up

The queen's eldest son gave another update on her recovery, telling Sky News on November 17 that she was "doing alright" since spraining her back. "Once you get to 95, it's not quite as easy as it used to be," he said, joking, "It's bad enough at 73."

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Family Affair

The queen stepped out for the joint christening of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's son, August, and Zara and Mike Tindall's son, Lucas, at the Royal Chapel of All Saints in Berkshire, England, on November 21

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A Business Meeting

The queen welcomed the Governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey at Windsor Castle on November 23.