Queen, 96, postpones Privy Council meeting after being advised by doctors to rest, sparking fresh health fears
THE Queen has postponed a meeting with her Privy Council after doctors advised her to rest, Buckingham Palace has announced.
It comes as the 96-year-old monarch made the unusual step of meeting new Prime Minister Liz Truss at her Scottish residence of Balmoral, choosing not to travel to London.
She was due to hold the Privy Council meeting virtually on Wednesday.
The proceedings would have seen Liz Truss take her oath as First Lord of the Treasury, while her new cabinet ministers would have been sworn into their roles.
A Palace spokesman said: “After a full day yesterday, Her Majesty has this afternoon accepted doctors’ advice to rest.
“This means that the Privy Council meeting that had been due to take place this evening will be rearranged.”
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Last month, it was revealed Prince Charles has been making “highly unusual” visits to see his mother at Balmoral due to ongoing health fears.
She spent a night in hospital late last year, and has since been seen less and less in public life.
The Queen continues to suffer from mobility problems and has cancelled several official engagements short this year.
Notably, she was forced to miss much of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, making only a brief appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
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In June, she was unable to attend Royal Ascot for the first time since her 1953 coronation, with her cousin the Duke of Kent taking her place in leading the royal carriage procession.
That same month, she missed the Epsom Derby, a blow for the monarch who is an avid fan of horse racing.
She also missed the State Opening of Parliament for the first time in 59 years on doctors’ orders after suffering “episodic mobility issues”.
The Queen also withdrew from the traditional Easter Sunday service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor this year.
After a full day yesterday, Her Majesty has this afternoon accepted doctors’ advice to rest
Palace spokesman
Last weekend, she was unable to attend the Highland Games at Braemar, the first time she has missed them during her 70-year reign.
Royal sources said she was advised to stay away this year for her “comfort” due to both the issue of getting her to the games, but also her having to sit in public for a long period of time to watch them.
In February, Her Majesty was struck down with Covid-19, later speaking about how it left her feeling “very tired and exhausted”.
Other senior royals have stepped in in the meantime, filling in for the Queen at a number of events.
Her Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council is a formal body of advisers who serve the sovereign of the UK, in the current case – the Queen.
It is made up of a group of senior politicians who were or are members of the House of Commons or the House of Lords.
The role of the Privy Council is to advise the Queen on the exercises of Royal Prerogative, which is essentially the Queen’s overall authority afforded to her by her royal status.
It has the power to enact Acts of Parliament, this is done through Orders of Council.
As of last month, there were 719 members of the council, including politicians, civil servants, judges, members of the clergy, and royals such as Prince Charles and Prince William.
Yesterday, the Queen met with Liz Truss, the 15th prime minister of her reign, at Balmoral, the first time she had appointed a PM in Scotland.
Usually, the monarch would appoint prime ministers from Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle.
Holding a walking stick, Her Majesty smiled as she greeted the new PM for the traditional “kissing of the hands” ceremony.
Ms Truss said “good afternoon” as she shook hands with the Queen’s Equerry and Private Secretary before she and her husband were ushered in to meet the monarch.
Some noticed that Her Majesty’s right hand appeared bruised or purple in photographs released by Buckingham Palace of the historic meeting.
Earlier, the Queen had a meeting with Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie, during which he officially resigned as Prime Minister.
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Buckingham Palace later said: “The Queen received in audience The Right Honourable Elizabeth Truss MP today and requested her to form a new administration.
“Ms Truss accepted Her Majesty’s offer and kissed hands upon her appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury.”