Prince Harry is traveling alone to Scotland after learning that his grandmother Queen Elizabeth is in critical condition. Meghan Markle is not traveling along with Prince Harry confirmed their spokesman. The royal family said the Queen’s doctors were worried about her health in an official statement. Members of the royal family are either at the Queen’s Scottish estate near Aberdeen or traveling towards the estate. Prince Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, is reported to have already reached the estate and are by her side. Prince William and Prince Andrew have been pictured alighting a plane in Aberdeen. A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed that they canceled events after learning of the Queen’s health issues. “Following further evaluation this morning, The Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision,” read an official statement by the Royal Family, reported BBC News. “The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.”
Members of the royal family are arriving at the Aberdeen airport before making an hour-long car journey to Balmoral Castle. Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, has stayed back in Windsor as her children are just completing the first full day at their new school. Prince Harry, 37 is headed to Scotland to be by the Queen’s side. The couple had traveled to the UK from California this week. Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward, along with his wife Sophie are also at Balmoral.
The Queen made her last public appearance while appointing Liz Truss as Prime Minister on Tuesday. It’s a longstanding practice for the Queen to appoint the Prime Minister in Buckingham Palance in London but this time, the Queen appointed Liz Truss as Prime Minister from Balmoral. Truss is the 15th Prime Minister appointed by the Queen during her 70 years of reign. The public got the first hint of her health issues after she postponed a key meeting on Wednesday after being advised by doctors to rest, said Buckingham Palace, reported CNN. “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,” said a Palace spokesman.
Crowds have started gathering outside the Balmoral castle and are braving heavy rains to get an update on the Queen’s health. The Balmoral Castle has been a royal residence for over 150 years and was initially used as a holiday home by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. It is also believed to be one of the Queen’s favorite residences. She spent much of last year at the castle as well. Wishes and prayers have been coming all parts of the world for the Queen. “The whole country will be deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime. My thoughts – and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom – are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time,” said Liz Truss. “My thoughts, and the thoughts of Canadians across the country, are with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at this time. We’re wishing her well, and sending our best to the Royal Family,” tweeted Justin Trudeau.
The Queen has been facing a series of health issues in recent years and is rumored to have suffered a fall that allegedly limited her mobility. She has been spotted with a cane since October 2021. The Queen also contracted COVID-19 earlier this year. She also remained a peripheral figure for her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, attending only three events. She became the longest reigning British monarch in 2015 when she eclipsed her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria’s reign. She has completed 70 years on the throne, second only to French King Louis XIV, who ruled for 72 years.
