UK doctors concerned for Queen Elizabeth II's health, family head to Scotland

LONDON: Family members rushed to be by the side of Queen Elizabeth II after doctors said that they were concerned about the health of Britain's 96-year-old monarch on Thursday (Sep 8), saying she should remain under medical supervision.

The queen, Britain's longest-reigning sovereign and the world's oldest monarch, has been suffering from what Buckingham Palace has called "episodic mobility problems" since the end of last year.

"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 palace said in a statement.

"The queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral."

Her eldest son and heir Prince Charles and his wife Camilla have travelled to her Scottish home Balmoral Castle, where she is staying, along with his eldest son Prince William, officials said.

The palace statement about the queen's health is highly unusual, and comes after she has looked visibly frailer in recent months.

Last October, Elizabeth spent a night in hospital and she has been forced to cut back on her public engagements since then. On Wednesday, she cancelled a virtual meeting with senior ministers after being advised to rest by her doctors.

The previous day, she had been pictured appointing Liz Truss as the country's new prime minister at Balmoral.

A palace source said that immediate family members had been informed and played down speculation that the monarch had suffered a fall.

Elizabeth has been queen of Britain and more than a dozen other countries since 1952, and earlier this year celebrated her 70th year on the throne.

Four days of public events were held to mark the record-breaking occasion, but she made only two appearances to acknowledge the huge crowds in central London.

Moments before Thursday's announcement, notes were passed to Truss and senior members of her team in parliament, prompting them to leave the chamber.

Truss tweeted almost immediately afterwards, saying that the whole country would be deeply concerned by the news.

"My thoughts - and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom - are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time," she said.

Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker of the House of Commons, interrupted an energy debate in parliament to say he sent his best wishes to the monarch.

Opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer said: "Along with the rest of the country, I am deeply worried by the news from Buckingham Palace this afternoon."

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the highest-ranking cleric in the Church of England that the queen heads, said that the queen was in his prayers.

"May God's presence strengthen and comfort Her Majesty, her family, and those who are caring for her at Balmoral," he tweeted.