Queen Follows Medical Advice, Cancels Plans

Queen Elizabeth II has axed a planned trip to Northern Ireland on the advice of her doctors, though Buckingham Palace didn't give much in the way of specifics on Wednesday. Her trip was to take place Wednesday and Thursday; instead, she'll rest "for the next few days," the Guardian reports. The decision is not thought to be COVID-related. The palace noted the 95-year-old monarch is "in good spirits'' though disappointed at the change in travel plans.

"The Queen sends her warmest good wishes to the people of Northern Ireland, and looks forward to visiting in the future,'' the palace said. The announcement comes a week after Elizabeth was seen making use of a walking stick at a major public event, a Westminster Abbey service in honor of the centenary of the Royal British Legion. Per the AP, she was last publicly seen with a cane in 2003 following knee surgery, though in this case, it is thought she was using it for ease, rather than a medical reason.

Her schedule was busy as recently as Tuesday: She met with the Japanese and EU ambassadors via video and hosted a reception at Windsor Castle that was attended by the likes of Boris Johnson and Bill Gates. Over the weekend, she attended the races at Ascot. The BBC reports she is still expected to head to Glasgow in late October to attend the COP26 climate change conference. (She may be 95, but don't call her an "oldie.")