Royal fans around the world have carefully been keeping an ear out for news about Queen Elizabeth. The 95-year-old monarch seems to be having a rough time lately, and she has every reason.
To recap the last year of her life alone, the Queen has mourned the loss of her husband of 73 years, said goodbye to several beloved dogs, endured whatever given drama is going on in her family at any given time, all while being more isolated than ever due to the health crisis.
Additionally, Her Majesty has been asked by her medical team to make some serious adjustments to her life. She's been asked to give up horseback riding and drinking. She's occasionally using a cane, and now she's being asked to lighten her schedule just days after a cancellation of plans and a hospital stay.
Queen Elizabeth is clearing the next two weeks of her schedule, at the advisement of her doctors. The 95-year-old monarch has to pull out of a number of events to prioritize her well-being, according to Buckingham Palace.
"Her Majesty's doctors have advised that she should continue to rest for at least the next two weeks," the palace's statement began.
"The doctors have advised that Her Majesty can continue to undertake light, desk-based duties during this time, including some virtual audiences, but not to undertake any official visits," the statement continued.
"Her Majesty regrets that this means she will be unable to attend the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday, 13th November. However, it remains The Queen's firm intention to be present for the National Service of Remembrance on Remembrance Sunday, on 14th November."
The cancellations also mean the Queen will miss a planned appearance at an evening reception at the COP26 summit next week. The Queen has recorded a speech that will be shown at the summit instead.
"We had some quite interesting background guidance yesterday from royal sources saying that although she's not going to be there in person, she is going to filming this video address this week and she is going to be working behind the scenes to make sure there are meaningful actions," royal expert Roya Nikkhah told the Daily Mail.
"And I thought what was really interesting was the guidance we had that she's very keen that other world leaders and heads of state don't use her absence as an excuse not to attend. So she's following it very, very closely."
"It's quite a trip for a 95-year-old and she's had this incredibly packed both public and private diary for a few weeks, which has obviously left her pretty tired. And I think the feeling probably was — we don't know, because we're not doctors — but the feeling probably was from her doctors it was a little bit much for her to go up and do all that," Roya continued.
"And it's not just the travel — it's also being on. It's also entertaining and hosting world leaders, talking to them about climate change and all of that — I think the feeling probably is that's just a little bit too much at the moment until she's back to full strength."
"I think there will be a reassessment and possibly a slight gear change in the kind of work the Queen does, the distances she travels, but I don't think we will see — all being well, if the Queen is able to continue with public duties as we hope that she will be — I think we will still see her out and about as much as she and her doctors feel she can," she added.
"But I think there will be a gear change, and her private secretaries and her diary secretaries looking at engagements that come in and thinking what does Her Majesty the Queen really need to be at, and what does she feel she really can do. So I think there will be a constant review going forwards now."
Eyes are sure to be on the royal family in the coming weeks and months as fans continue to monitor the situation around the Queen's health. Many are expecting that we'll see Charles, Camilla, William, and Kate step up more, while also keeping an eye out for Harry and Meghan's possible return.
