London: There were serious concerns over the health condition of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday after doctors placed her under medical supervision.
The Queen’s closest family were all learnt to be on way to join the 96-year-old monarch at the Balmoral royal estate in Scotland.
The Queen’s children — heir to the throne Prince Charles (73), Princess Anne (72), Prince Andrew (62) and Prince Edward (58) — were either at or heading to Balmoral, according to aides.
Charles’ elder son Prince William and his family, along with his younger son Prince Harry and wife Meghan — who are on a rare visit to Britain after abandoning royal life to move to the US – were also learnt to be headed to Balmoral.
Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-serving monarch, has been dogged by health problems for a year, as she has struggled to walk and stand.
She is in her Platinum Jubilee year, marking 70 years since she succeeded her father king George VI in 1952 as the monarch.
Shortly before the announcement of her medical team, the House of Commons saw notes being passed to Prime Minister Liz Truss, her ministers and Opposition leaders, following which they all left.
“The whole country will be deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime,” tweeted Truss, who was formally appointed as the new PM just two days ago at Balmoral to succeed Boris Johnson.
“My thoughts — and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom — are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time,” Truss added.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Church of England’s highest-ranking cleric, said the Queen was in his prayers.
