LONDON: Britain's 95-year-old Queen Elizabeth spent a night in hospital for the first time in years for what royal officials termed 'preliminary investigations' but was in good spirits and back at work at her Windsor Castle home on Thursday.
The world's oldest and longest-reigning monarch cancelled an official trip to Northern Ireland on Wednesday. The palace said the queen had been told to rest by her medical staff, and that her ailment was not related to COVID-19.
"Following medical advice to rest for a few days, the queen attended hospital on Wednesday afternoon for some preliminary investigations, returning to Windsor Castle at lunchtime today, and remains in good spirits," the palace said in a statement on Thursday.
A royal source said the queen had stayed at the King Edward VII hospital in central London for practical reasons and that her medical team had taken a cautious approach.
Elizabeth, who is queen of 15 other realms including Australia, Canada and New Zealand, returned to her desk for work on Thursday afternoon and was undertaking some light duties, the source said.
She had spent Tuesday night hosting a drinks reception at Windsor for billionaire business leaders such as Bill Gates after Prime Minister Boris Johnson convened a green investment conference ahead of the COP26 climate summit.
The queen had appeared in good health then, smiling happily as she met the guests.
The head of state, who next year celebrates 70 years on the throne, is known for her robust health. The last time she is thought to have spent a night in hospital was in 2013 when she was suffering from symptoms of gastroenteritis.
She had a successful surgery to treat an eye cataract in 2018, and also had a knee operation in 2003. However, royal officials are loathe to discuss health issues in general, saying medical matters are private.
Earlier this year, Prince Philip, her 99-year-old husband of more than seven decades, died at Windsor Castle.
But that has not stopped her from carrying out her official engagements, although her age has meant she has handed more duties to her son and heir Prince Charles, and to other members of the royal family.
Earlier this month, she was seen using a walking stick for support in public for the first time, apart from after her knee operation.
TURBULENT TIMES
Her long reign has seen some turbulent times and the last couple of years have been particularly difficult from her family and for Elizabeth personally.
Not only has she lost her husband, who she described as her "strength and stay", but her second son Prince Andrew has had to quit royal duties over his links to the late U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein and allegations of sex crimes.
Her grandson Prince Harry and his American wife Meghan have also stepped away from royal duties to move to Los Angeles from where they delivered some barbed attacks on Buckingham Palace.
Despite the setbacks, polls show Elizabeth, who acceded to the throne in 1952 when Britain was shedding its imperial power, remains popular and highly regarded in Britain, symbolising stability for generations.
Her quiet and uncomplaining dedication to the duty of queenship, even in old age, has earned her widespread respect, even from republicans who are eager to abolish the institution.
Her next major engagement is at the end of the month when she is due to welcome world leaders at the opening of the United Nations climate change summit in Glasgow.
Reuters
Fri Oct 22 2021
![Queen Elizabeth back home after first night in hospital in years Queen Elizabeth back home after first night in hospital in years](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-10/41634881943_950x600.jpg)
A royal source said the queen had stayed at the King Edward VII hospital in central London for practical reasons and that her medical team had taken a cautious approach. - Filepic
![Darurat diisytihar di Voronezh, Rusia selepas serangan dron Ukraine Darurat diisytihar di Voronezh, Rusia selepas serangan dron Ukraine](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720348842_TBdroneattack.jpg)
Darurat diisytihar di Voronezh, Rusia selepas serangan dron Ukraine
Keadaan darurat diisytiharkan di daerah Podgorensky wilayah Voronezh, Rusia selepas kebakaran tercetus akibat serangan dron Ukraine, kata gabenor wilayah, Alexander Gusev pada Ahad.
![Polis serbu 10 premis urut tawar khidmat seks, tahan 39 wanita warga asing Polis serbu 10 premis urut tawar khidmat seks, tahan 39 wanita warga asing](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720349985_TBmassage.jpg)
Polis serbu 10 premis urut tawar khidmat seks, tahan 39 wanita warga asing
Polis menahan 39 wanita warga asing yang disyaki bekerja sebagai pekerja seks dan tukang urut dalam serbuan di 10 premis urut sekitar Lembah Klang, Jumaat lepas.
PDRM kutip lebih RM1 juta diskaun saman
Ketua Jabatan Siasatan dan Penguatkuasaan Trafik Kontinjen Pahang Deputi superintanden Ahmad Ridha Hariri berkata jumlah itu ialah hasil bayaran yang diterima daripada 2,000 pengunjung yang mendapatkan tawaran diskaun 50 peratus daripada PDRM.
AWANI Ringkas: Tuntutan RM100 juta tidak berasas
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
AWANI Borneo [07/07/2024] - Tiada kemalangan jiwa | PRN Sabah | Maal Hijrah 2024
Awani Borneo 7 Julai 2024 bersama Jasmine Abu Bakar;
1. Dua rumah musnah dalam kebakaran di Kundasang
2. Sabah tidak perlu parti luar, perkukuh blok Borneo - Shadie Apdal
3. Yang di-Pertuan Agong gesa kerajaan tingkat kuatkuasa kandungan ajaran sesat
1. Dua rumah musnah dalam kebakaran di Kundasang
2. Sabah tidak perlu parti luar, perkukuh blok Borneo - Shadie Apdal
3. Yang di-Pertuan Agong gesa kerajaan tingkat kuatkuasa kandungan ajaran sesat
![Exists, Ungu ‘berentap’ di pentas konsert pada 14 Julai ini Exists, Ungu ‘berentap’ di pentas konsert pada 14 Julai ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720350574_ExistsUngu.jpg)
Exists, Ungu ‘berentap’ di pentas konsert pada 14 Julai ini
Bakal berlangsung selama 3 jam setengah ini, konsert ini akan dipenuhi dengan lagu-lagu hit daripada dua buah kumpulan ini.
Urus tadbir perlu bersifat telus, ambil kira cabaran rakyat
Premier Sarawak, Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg mahu urus tadbir wilayah itu sentiasa mengambil kira cabaran yang dihadapi oleh manusia sejagat.
Pendekatan agresif noktahkan miskin tegar di Sabah
Kerajaan Negeri Sabah terus mengambil pendekatan bersifat agresif bagi menoktahkan isu miskin tegar di Sabah.
Graduan Iban pertama Universiti Al-Azhar penerima Anugerah Ma’al Hijrah Sarawak 1446H
Graduan Iban pertama yang melanjutkan pengajian ke Universiti Al-Azhar di Kaherah, Mesir antara 14 penerima yang menerima Anugerah Ma’al Hijrah Sarawak pada Majlis Perhimpunan Ma’al Hijrah Peringkat Sarawak Tahun 1446H/2024M di Hikmah Exchange Event Centre, Kuching hari ini.
![Remaja Asia: Khai Xing-Aaron gagal akhiri kemarau tujuh tahun Malaysia Remaja Asia: Khai Xing-Aaron gagal akhiri kemarau tujuh tahun Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51720347946_Badminton.jpg)
Remaja Asia: Khai Xing-Aaron gagal akhiri kemarau tujuh tahun Malaysia
Beregu lelaki negara Kang Khai Xing-Aaron Tai gagal mengakhiri kemarau kejuaraan selama tujuh tahun Malaysia di Kejohanan Badminton Remaja Asia.
![Mohamad Sabu ucap takziah, jangan buat spekulasi tragedi Mejar Mohd Zahir Mohamad Sabu ucap takziah, jangan buat spekulasi tragedi Mejar Mohd Zahir](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-06/71561384343_MatSabu.jpg)
Mohamad Sabu ucap takziah, jangan buat spekulasi tragedi Mejar Mohd Zahir
Menteri Pertahanan, Mohamad Sabu merakam ucapan simpati berhubung pemergian Allahyarham Mejar Mohd Zahir Armaya.
![Lip Eng disaran hayati sejarah tulisan Jawi - Mujahid Lip Eng disaran hayati sejarah tulisan Jawi - Mujahid](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-07/81561958981_MujahidYusof.jpg)
Lip Eng disaran hayati sejarah tulisan Jawi - Mujahid
Ahli Parlimen Kepong, Lim Lip Eng disaran menghayati sejarah serta penggunaan tulisan Jawi di negara ini terutama melibatkan urusan Raja-raja Melayu sendiri.
![Dua rakyat Malaysia terima anugerah daripada Ratu Elizabeth Dua rakyat Malaysia terima anugerah daripada Ratu Elizabeth](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-06/61530079742_YoungLeadersAward.jpg)
Dua rakyat Malaysia terima anugerah daripada Ratu Elizabeth
Dua rakyat Malaysia menerima Anugerah Pemimpin Muda Ratu (Queens Young Leaders Awards) daripada Ratu Elizabeth dalam satu majlis khas di Istana Buckingham, London.
![Ulang tahun ke-92 Ratu Elizabeth II, Twitter diraja muatnaik foto 'throwback' Ulang tahun ke-92 Ratu Elizabeth II, Twitter diraja muatnaik foto 'throwback'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-02/61486357220_QueenElizabeth.jpg)
Ulang tahun ke-92 Ratu Elizabeth II, Twitter diraja muatnaik foto 'throwback'
Ratu Elizabeth II, raja paling lama memerintah Britain, menyambut ulangtahunnya yang ke-92 pada Sabtu.
![Istana kutuk tabloid siar video Ratu Elizabeth tabik Nazi Istana kutuk tabloid siar video Ratu Elizabeth tabik Nazi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-07/71437279421_QUEENELIZABETH.jpg)
Istana kutuk tabloid siar video Ratu Elizabeth tabik Nazi
Istana Buckingham mengutuk akhbar tabloid UK yang menyiarkan video Ratu Elizabeth memberikan tabik gaya Nazi.
![Kate hadiri upacara terakhir sebelum bersalin Kate hadiri upacara terakhir sebelum bersalin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-06/61371312219_295x200.jpg)
Kate hadiri upacara terakhir sebelum bersalin
Isteri Putera William, Catherine pada Sabtu, menghadiri upacara rasmi hari lahir Ratu Elizabeth II yang ke 87, iaitu acara terakhirnya sebelum melahirkan anak.