It’s been a turbulent couple of years for Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace.
The long-reigning monarch (longest-reigning, we should say) has experienced all that a queen could expect to experience during her time on the throne of England, and then some.
Yet the past few months might just make 2021 her most arduous year to date given the pandemic, inner-conflict within the British Royal Family, and the loss of her husband, Prince Philip.
It would seem, however, that the trials aren’t over for her just quite yet. According to reports, doctors have given Queen Elizabeth some news she’d rather not have been given, and if the rumors are to be believed then fans might have cause to be concerned as to her overall health.
Queen Elizabeth would have been forgiven for thinking that 2021 would be a slightly easier year for her than 2020 was.
With the world stricken by the COVID-19 pandemic, life was changed for virtually all of us. Being a monarch usually means that one is exempt from the struggles and strifes of the masses, but viruses aren’t in the business of picking and choosing their victims based on social status alone.
Given their advanced ages, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were forced to follow strict isolation measures for the majority of last year, this while they helplessly bore witness to the devastation wrought by COVID in the UK. For someone as compassionate as the Queen is known to be, this couldn’t have been easy.
Moving into 2021, however, there were other matters to contend with – those that threatened to further destabilize the monarchy at a time when its future is already the subject of rampant speculation.
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decided to take their leave of the royal household, many believed that was that for them; their departure raised eyebrows, but it was nothing to trouble the steadfast foundations Queen Elizabeth has anchored since the beginning of her reign.
Then came the infamous tell-almost-all interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Harry and Meghan shocked the world when they sat down with Oprah to divulge secrets from their time as a royal couple that those involved would have preferred to keep buried.
Not only did Meghan reveal she had harbored thoughts of taking her own life, such was her discontentment, but she and Harry also hinted at racism on the part of an unnamed member of the British Royal Family who enquired as to the potential skin color of the then-yet-unborn Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.
The allegations were so raw, their impact so widespread, that the Queen herself was forced to issue a promise to investigate the claims. #AbolishTheMonarchy trended on Twitter in the days following the release of Oprah’s interview.
The statement from Queen Elizabeth read: “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan.
The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.
Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”
No sooner had she attempted to staunch that wound, however, than was Queen Elizabeth dealt an even greater blow with the passing of her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Philip was 99 at his time of death, and had been sick for a while. Nevertheless, he was ever described as the Queen’s strength and stay – his loss no doubt left a hole in her heart that will never be filled.
On April 9, the Royal Family tweeted: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”
As has become typical of her reign, the Queen has remained stoic and strong in the face of tragedy. Yet more concerning reports have been forthcoming of late, with Elizabeth’s health called into question.
The Queen was seen walking with the assistance of a cane back in October – in itself not that troubling considering she is 95 years old. Adding to that, however, was the news that she had been told to skip a trip to Northern Ireland after accepting medical advice to rest.
Again, given her advanced years, it might have been foolish to read more into that than necessary. The follow-on reports, however, have left fans of Queen Elizabeth slightly more worried.
The monarch was hospitalized for “preliminary investigations” last week, and a few days ago Buckingham Palace announced that she had been warned that she needs to rest for two more weeks. A report claims she will continue with “light, desk-based duties”, but won’t be doing anything that might put her health in further jeopardy.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Buckingham Palace’s statement read:
“Following on from their recent advice that The Queen should rest for a few days, Her Majesty’s doctors have advised that she should continue to rest for at least the next two weeks.
The doctors have advised that Her Majesty can continue to undertake light, desk-based duties during this time, including some virtual Audiences, but not to undertake any official visits. Her Majesty regrets that this means she will be unable to attend the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday, 13th November.
However, it remains The Queen’s firm intention to be present for the National Service of Remembrance on Remembrance Sunday, on 14th November.”
Just what caused the Queen’s hospitalization hasn’t been revealed – she’s entitled to medical privacy – but it’s safe to say the rumor-mill is up and whirring.
Next year will mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the incredible feat of having held the British throne for 70 years! We only hope Queen Elizabeth will be in good health and spirits when that occasion rolls around.
Are you a fan of Queen Elizabeth? Do you think she’s done a great job of leading her country? Let us know in the comments box if you are!
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