Queen hospital visit ‘never intended’ to be public

After news broke last night of the Queen’s first hospital stay in eight years it has emerged that Buckingham Palace had reportedly never intended for it to be public knowledge.

Following reports in The Sun newspaper about the monarch’s hospital visit, the Palace appears to have been forced into an admission late last night.

During the coronavirus pandemic much has been made over the debate over an individual’s medical history, but speaking in an interview earlier today, Royal expert Jonny Dymond said Buckingham Palace were “forced into admitting it” after The Sun’s story.

He said: “One of the downsides of being the monarch is that the state of your health is a source of constant public attention”, telling Nick Robinson on the Today programme “I suspect the Palace did not”, when he was asked if he thought they had intended to tell the public.

Simon McCoy's tweet
Simon McCoy

GB News presenter Simon McCoy tweeted: “I wonder if they lowered the Royal Standard flag at Windsor Castle when the Queen left for hospital on Wednesday? How far did subterfuge go?”

The Queen is known for her strong constitution and no fuss approach to her infrequent illnesses.

The monarch’s overnight stay at King Edward VII’s Hospital is her first in eight years.

She was treated at the private clinic for a nasty bout of gastroenteritis in 2013, when she also stayed for one night.

Last week, the sovereign used a walking stick at a Westminster Abbey service – the first time she has done so at a major event.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the Queen retreated to Windsor Castle for her safety, where she was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh in lockdown.

The couple were vulnerable to Covid-19 because of their advanced age, but were protected by the so-called HMS Bubble – their reduced household of about 20 staff.