Queen's Health Scare: Hospital Admission Details Emerge

Queen Elizabeth II has been admitted to the hospital on a few occasions, including in 2003 for knee surgery, in 2013 for gastroenteritis, and in October 2021 for preliminary investigations. The 2021 hospital stay sparked concern among the public, but the Queen quickly returned to her duties and appeared to be in good spirits. In May 2025, former Danish monarch Queen Margrethe was also admitted to the hospital after falling ill and cancelling a public engagement.

Queen Elizabeth II's hospitalisation in 2021

Queen Elizabeth II was admitted to hospital for tests in October 2021. The 95-year-old monarch was admitted to a London hospital, widely assumed to be King Edward VII Hospital, a private hospital favoured by royals. The hospitalisation came after the Queen cancelled a trip to Northern Ireland on the advice of her doctors.

The Queen's hospital stay lasted one night, from Wednesday afternoon to lunchtime on Thursday. A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Queen had attended the hospital for ""preliminary investigations"" and that she was in good spirits. The statement added that the Queen had ""reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days".

The Queen's health has been the subject of much speculation, particularly after she was spotted using a walking stick during a ceremony at Westminster Abbey. This was the first time she had done so publicly since 2003 and 2004 when she was recovering from knee surgery. The Queen's hospitalisation also came after a period of intense work, including hosting world leaders at a Group of 7 summit meeting in Cornwall in June, and playing host to President Biden and the First Lady at Windsor Castle.

Following her hospital stay, the Queen returned to Windsor Castle and resumed light duties. She held a private meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson at Windsor Castle, the first of their weekly get-togethers held in person since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. The Queen also made an appearance at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, delivering a pre-recorded speech as promised.

Queen Elizabeth II's hospitalisation in 2013

In 2013, Queen Elizabeth II was hospitalised after experiencing symptoms of gastroenteritis. The 86-year-old monarch was taken to King Edward VII Hospital in London, where her late husband, Prince Philip, was treated in early 2021. The Queen's visit to the hospital was her first in ten years. She was admitted as a precaution after struggling to recover from a stomach and bowel bug.

Buckingham Palace released a statement saying that the Queen was in good spirits and that she had attended the hospital for some preliminary investigations. All of the Queen's official engagements, including a visit to Rome, were either cancelled or postponed. She spent one night in the hospital, being admitted on Sunday and discharged on Monday morning.

The Queen's health has been under scrutiny in recent years. In October 2021, she was hospitalised overnight and advised to change her lifestyle, including taking on fewer royal responsibilities and cutting down on her alcohol consumption. She has also undergone two knee surgeries for torn cartilage and has experienced mobility issues, requiring the use of a cane for support.

Queen Elizabeth II passed away in 2022 at the age of 96. In the final years of her life, she continued to experience health issues, including a bruise on her hand, which was visible in photos.

Queen Magrethe's hospitalisation in 2025

Queen Magrethe Hospitalised in 2025

Denmark's former monarch, Queen Magrethe, was admitted to hospital in May 2025. The 85-year-old pulled out of a public engagement due to illness. She was due to take part in celebrations for the 125th anniversary of the Sankt Lukas Foundation in Hellerup, which provides health and welfare services in Denmark.

The Danish Palace released a statement saying that the Queen had contracted a cold and, as a precaution, would be admitted to Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen for observation. The palace provided no further information. Queen Magrethe had been last seen in public on the Sunday before her hospitalisation, during a service commemorating the 80th anniversary of Denmark's liberation from Nazi occupation.

Queen Magrethe's hospitalisation comes after she abdicated in January 2024 in favour of her eldest son, Frederik. She had made the announcement in December 2023, stating that she would be leaving the throne to her son, Crown Prince Frederik, 52 years after she became queen. Her decision to abdicate was influenced by surgery on her back in 2023, which caused her to reflect on the future and whether it was time to hand over responsibility to the next generation.

Despite her hospitalisation, Queen Magrethe is expected to continue with her duties and public engagements, with no further cancellations announced. She has been described as being in good health for her age, and her hospital stay is not expected to be lengthy.

The public's concern about Queen Elizabeth II's health

Queen Elizabeth II's health has been a source of concern for the public on several occasions. In 2003, she underwent an operation to repair damaged cartilage in her knee, which she had twisted during a visit to the Newmarket racecourse. She also suffered from gastroenteritis in 2013, which led to a hospital stay. More recently, in October 2021, the Queen spent a night in the hospital for preliminary medical checks and tests. This stay caused concern among the public, as it was the first time the Queen had been hospitalised since 2013.

The decision to cancel a trip to Northern Ireland ahead of her hospitalisation also sparked worry among the public. The 95-year-old monarch had a busy schedule of public engagements prior to her hospital visit, including at least 16 formal events in October, according to an official record. Her hectic schedule prompted concerns about exhaustion.

The public's concern about the Queen's health was further heightened when she was photographed using a walking stick during a ceremony at Westminster Abbey in October 2021. This marked the first time she had used a walking aid publicly since recovering from knee surgery in 2003 and 2004.

Despite these concerns, Queen Elizabeth II has been praised for her energetic public presence, especially following the death of her husband, Prince Philip, in April 2021. She has continued to carry out her duties, hosting world leaders and playing an active role in various summits and engagements.

The palace has provided updates on the Queen's health, reassuring the public that she is in "good spirits" and able to undertake light duties. Buckingham Palace has navigated a delicate balance between maintaining the Queen's privacy and releasing sufficient information to keep the public informed about her health.

The media's coverage of Queen Elizabeth II's health

In 2003, Queen Elizabeth II underwent an operation to repair damaged cartilage in her knee, which she had twisted during a visit to the Newmarket racecourse. This was reported by the media as her first hospitalisation in 61 years on the throne. The Queen's knee surgery was mentioned again in 2021 when she was photographed using a walking stick at Westminster Abbey, marking the first time she had done so publicly since her recovery from the knee operation in 2003 and 2004.

In October 2021, the media reported on Queen Elizabeth II's hospital stay, which sparked concern among the public. Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Queen had undergone "preliminary investigations" and returned to Windsor Castle, where she remained in good spirits. The palace's statement emphasised that the Queen had followed medical advice to rest and that her hospital visit was not an emergency. The media also highlighted the Queen's busy schedule of public engagements leading up to her hospital stay, including at least 16 formal events in October alone.

The media's coverage of the Queen's health has been a delicate balance between informing the public and respecting her privacy. While the palace provided updates on her condition, they did not disclose specific details about her health or the nature of the tests performed during her hospital stay. The media also reported on the public's concern about the Queen's health, especially as she had been a reigning monarch for nearly seven decades at the time of her hospitalisation.

Following her hospital stay, the media continued to report on Queen Elizabeth II's return to her duties, including her appearance at the Glasgow COP26 climate change summit and her pre-recorded speech at the reception. They also noted her refusal of the "Oldie of the Year" award from Oldie magazine, reinforcing her stance that "you are only as old as you feel".

In summary, the media's coverage of Queen Elizabeth II's health has involved reporting on her hospital stays, public appearances, and official statements from Buckingham Palace. The media has speculated about her health, particularly during her hospital stays, while also respecting her privacy and highlighting her energetic public presence. The coverage has reflected the public's concern and interest in the Queen's well-being, given her advanced age and long reign.

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