(Jacob King/PA via AP)
Queen Elizabeth II was hospitalized for one night after cancelling her trip to Northern Ireland earlier this week.
“Following medical advice to rest for a few days, The Queen attended hospital on Wednesday afternoon [October 20] for some preliminary investigations, returning to Windsor Castle at lunchtime today, and remains in good spirits,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Thursday, October 21.
It was announced on Wednesday that the Queen would not be completing her visit to Ireland after being advised to rest. “The Queen has reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days,” the palace statement read, adding that she was “in good spirits” but “disappointed” to miss the royal engagements that were previously planned.
“The Queen sends her warmest good wishes to the people of Northern Ireland, and looks forward to visiting in the future,” the palace added.
One week earlier, Elizabeth attended a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey where she held a walking stick. This event marked the first time the Queen had publicly used a cane since having knee surgery in 2003.
Over time, the Queen has slowly passed on duties to other members of the royal family to take over, including daughter-in-law the Duchess of Cambridge. “Over time, Kate has proved to Elizabeth that she can be trusted and they’ve developed a great relationship,” a source told Us Weekly earlier this month. “Elizabeth feels confident that Kate will make a great queen.”