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UK Doctors Concern for Queen’s Health as Family Rushes to Her Side. What We Know So Far

It appears Queen Elizabeth’s health is deteriorating as doctors placed her under medical supervision at Balmoral.  Buckingham Palace said she “remains comfortable.”

  • It is unusual for Buckingham Palace to issue a statement like this:The Royal Family on Twitter: "A statement from Buckingham Palace: https://t.co/2x2oD289nL" / Twitter
  • All of her children have gathered and some are travelling to her Scottish estate. Princess Anne is already with her. Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, boarded a helicopter at Dumfries House in Scotland travelling to be with her, while Prince William, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex arrived at Aberdeen airport, ahead of their arrival at Balmoral. And Meghan and Harry, already in the UK, are travelling separately and are coordinating with family members.
    Prince Charles
    Prince Charles boards a helicopter to Balmoral at Dumfries House (Sky News)

    Royal helicopter which has landed at Balmoral Castle this morning. Pic: Peter Jolly
    A royal helicopter landed at Balmoral this morning (Pic: Peter Jolly)
  • Prime Minister, Liz Truss, said in Parliament: “The whole country will be deeply concerned.” The Archbishop of Canterbury said his “prayers and the prayers of the people across the Church of England and the nation” were with the Queen.
  • She pulled out of an online meeting of the Privy Council on Wednesday after being advised by doctors to rest.
  • The 96-year-old has ongoing “episodic mobility problems” and has been using a walking stick.
  • She missed the State Opening of Parliament for the first time in 59 years in May. Charles read her speech instead.
  • She was forced to miss some celebrations for her Platinum Jubilee in June, after experiencing discomfort.
  • Buckingham Palace scaled back her “official duties” and had rewritten her duties.

Who’s Coming With Prince William and Kate to the Bahamas?

Royal tours are landmark events for Buckingham Palace, requiring the participation of many members of the royal family and their aids.

When Prince William and his wife Kate travel to the Bahamas on Thursday, after visiting Belize and Jamaica, they are bringing an entourage of 15 to the sunny isles.

The entourage will include private secretaries, a hairdresser, and the press team.

It is a momentous occasion for Queen Elizabeth II who is celebrating 70 years on the British throne and she has sent the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to act on her behalf as part of the festivities.

 

Some members of the entourage are seen exiting the plane in Belize on Saturday. They are accompanying William and Kate on their Caribbean tour to honor the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.
In Belize, 45 British media personnel were also on board the plane. They were allowed to cover only four events of the trip while other events were close to the media.

In 2016 when William and Kate visited Canada with their children, each of the couple’s private secretaries went along: William’s private secretary Miguel Head and assistant private secretary Laura Baker, Kate’s private secretary Rebecca Deacon.

Others included tour secretary Kate Mager, an operations manager who helped with logistics such as loading luggage, hairdresser Amanda Cook-Tucker, stylist Natasha Archer, and babysitter Maria Borrallo.

Press Secretary Jason Knauf and three other press officers accompanied them on their trip. They ensured proper communications with both foreign and local media while managing the social media accounts.

2016 Royal Tour To Canada Of The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge – Whitehorse And Carcross, Yukon WHITEHORSE, CANADA – SEPTEMBER 27: Staff including the Duchess of Cambridge’s hairdresser Amanda Cook Tucker (C) and PA and Stylist Natasha Archer (2nd R) arrive at Whitehorse Airport on September 27, 2016 in Whitehorse, Canada. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and Princess Charlotte are visiting Canada.

On their trip to the Caribbean, the couple’s three children will stay behind at Kensington Palace with their babysitter.

Feature Image: Chris Jackson/ Getty Image

What Happens if the Queen Gets Too Sick?

When Buckingham Place announced that Queen Elizabeth11 contracted COVID-19, it startled many since she represents one of the most high profile figures to contract the virus.

The frail 95-year-old is at a higher risk of serious infection because of her age, placing a renewed attention on her health. This comes after two years of effort to prevent her from contracting the contagious infection.

While she is being monitored closely after experiencing “mild cold like symptoms,” Buckingham Palace says she is working on “light duties” at Windsor Castle.

Buckingham Palace says if the queen needs to suspend her official duties, two or more counselors of state can act on her behalf.

Who are these counselors?

These counselors include her husband Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, Prince William and Prince Harry.

Royal experts say Prince Charles and Prince William are likely to take on some of the queen’s responsibilities.

This does not apply to her deceased husband, Prince Philip who died last year.

Prince Andrew is highly unlikely, since has garnered negative attention to the royal family after he was stripped of public duties following a sexual assault lawsuit, which he settled.

And Prince Harry has since left  Britain for California, with reports of bad blood between he and the royal family.

It also comes in her Platinum Jubilee year marking 70 years on the throne.

She will be 96-years-old in April.