Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 24, 2025

Queen 'had secret sign so aides could whisk her away if she felt ill'

Queen 'had secret sign so aides could whisk her away if she felt ill'

The Queen was prepared to use a secret signal if she felt fatigued during a reception last week – less than 24 hours before she was hospitalised.

Two weeks ago the 95-year-old monarch was seen using a walking stick for support in public for the first time as she attended a service at Westminster Abbey.

Last Tuesday she was on her feet for almost an hour when she held a lavish reception for guests, including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and US climate envoy John Kerry.

According to the Daily Mail, the Queen had agreed a discreet sign with her royal helpers if she became too tired or ill.

It is unclear what the code was but it is being reported that it was not needed and she was said to be on ‘sparkling form’.

But the day after the monarch cancelled a two-day trip to Northern Ireland to mark the 100th anniversary of the partition on doctors’ orders.

She spent a night in King Edward VII’s Hospital in central London for ‘preliminary investigations’ but returned to Windsor on Thursday.

In a statement, the Palace said: ‘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.’

This was the monarch’s first overnight hospital stay in eight years.

She spent a night at the private clinic in 2013 when she was treated for a nasty bout of gastroenteritis.

Queen Elizabeth II arrives at St Peter and St Paul church, in West Newton, Norfolk, to attend a Sunday service

The monarch attended the Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse this month


She travelled to the hospital on Wednesday afternoon by car rather than by helicopter.

It is highly unusual that any major engagement would be cancelled at the last minute, suggesting staff are taking no chances with the elderly head of state’s health.

King Edward VII’s Hospital in London where she spent Wednesday night

The Queen greeting John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate during a reception for international business and investment leaders at Windsor Castle


The Queen had to miss church yesterday following her hospital stay.

She was due at All Saints Chapel in Windsor but it is believed she is saving her energy for the COP26 eco-summit in Glasgow, which she is due to attend next Monday.

A royal source told The Sun she wants to resume her official duties within days.

The Queen, who will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee next year marking 70 years on the throne, has had a busy schedule since returning from Balmoral.

Including her return from the royal estate in Aberdeenshire, where she spent the summer, the Queen has travelled nearly 1,000 miles this month.

Buckingham Palace aides are now scrambling to cut down the monarch’s schedule after being accused of misleading the public over her condition.

Officials are understood to be drawing up a ‘core’ list of key events for the Queen to prioritise over the next 12 months.

It comes amid reports that one of the Queen’s children or grandchildren will join her for public visits so they can step in for her if she has to cancel.

Metro.co.uk has contacted Buckingham Palace for a statement.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
×