Queen under medical supervision as doctors concerned for her health, Buckingham Palace say

ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship has the latest on the Queen as the family head to Balmoral to be with her after doctors became concerned for her health

The Queen is under medical supervision at Balmoral after doctors became concerned for her health, Buckingham Palace said.

All four of her children, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex, along with Prince William travelled to be with her on Thursday afternoon.

The Duke of Sussex, who was scheduled to be doing a charity event in London this evening with his wife, Meghan, will also be heading to Balmoral Castle.

ITV News special coverage on The Queen as her family gathers in Balmoral

A fleet of cars believed to be carrying the Duke of Cambridge, Duke of York and the Earl and Countess of Wessex arrived at Balmoral just after 5pm.

The plane carrying the royal party had arrived at Aberdeen airport just before 4pm.

Prince Charles and Camilla, who were staying nearby at Birkhall on the Balmoral estate, arrived earlier on Thursday.

ITV News special coverage on The Queen as The Royal Family gathers in Balmoral

The Duchess of Sussex is not travelling to Scotland with Harry, sources have said. It is understood Meghan will remain in London, but will not attend the WellChild awards tonight.

The duchess could potentially join Harry in Scotland at a later date, the source said, following the change of plan.

The Duchess of Cambridge has remained in Windsor, as Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are on their first full day at their new school, Kensington Palace said.

What the royal family travelling to see the Queen suggests about her condition
The Duke of Cambridge drives a car carrying the Duke of York, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex into Balmoral. Credit: PA

The monarch, 96, pulled out of a virtual Privy Council on Wednesday, a day after appointing Liz Truss as PM at her home in the Scottish Highlands.

The nation’s longest-reigning monarch has ongoing mobility issues and looked bright but frail and used a walking stick during Tuesday’s historic audience with Ms Truss, which followed a visit from outgoing prime minister Boris Johnson as he tendered his resignation.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex in a car driven by the Duke of Cambridge arrives at Balmoral in Scotland. Credit: PA

A Palace spokesperson said: “Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision.

"The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.”

The Queen’s close family have been informed, with the latest announcement escalating fears for the monarch’s health.

Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Liz Truss during an audience at Balmoral Credit: Jane Barlow/PA

Reacting to the news, Ms Truss said: “The whole country will be deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime” adding “my thoughts – and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom – are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time”.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he is "deeply worried" by the news from Buckingham Palace and he is hoping for the Queen's recovery.

Prince William, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex disembark from a RAF plane after it lands at Aberdeen airport - the nearest to Balmoral - on Thursday afternoon.

He tweeted: "Along with the rest of the country, I am deeply worried by the news from Buckingham Palace this afternoon.

"My thoughts are with Her Majesty the Queen and her family at this time, and I join everyone across the United Kingdom in hoping for her recovery."

The Archbishop of Canterbury has said the “prayers of the nation” are with the Queen.

“My prayers, and the prayers of people across the (Church of England) and the nation, are with Her Majesty The Queen today,” Justin Welby tweeted.

“May God’s presence strengthen and comfort Her Majesty, her family, and those who are caring for her at Balmoral.”

The news broke as MPs debated Ms Truss's announcement, her first major policy intervention as prime minister, of a major new package to help households with their energy bills.

The initial indication that something was wrong came as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Nadhim Zahawi, came into the Chamber, sat down next to Ms Truss and began urgently speaking to her while she was listening to the Labour leader's response to her energy statement.Sir Keir was passed a note by his deputy Angela Rayner, with Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle also handed a piece of paper updating him about the developing situation. The prime minister, Sir Keir and others left the chamber after being updated on the Queen's health.

A sign reading “no guard changing ceremony today” was in position outside Buckingham Palace on Thursday morning but was later removed. Credit: Getty

Sir Lindsay interrupted the speech of SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford during the energy debate to tell MPs: “I know I speak on behalf of the entire House when I say that we send our best wishes to Her Majesty the Queen and that she and the royal family are in our thoughts and prayers at this moment.”

In a tweet, Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "All of us are feeling profoundly concerned at reports of Her Majesty’s health."My thoughts and wishes are with the Queen and all of the Royal Family at this time."

Crowds gather outside Buckingham Palace as rain clouds gather

Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford said in a tweet: “Concerned to hear the news from Buckingham Palace.“I send my best wishes to Her Majesty and her family on behalf of the people of Wales.”

Downing Street said there are no plans for the prime minister to travel to Scotland on Thursday or Friday, adding No 10 was not aware of any changes to business in the House of Commons on Friday. The prime minister's official spokesman said this would be a matter for the Speaker.

The Queen during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June Credit: Frank Augustein/PA

Charles was said to have been making regular morning visits to see his mother later in the summer as she continued to struggle with her mobility, with the unplanned visits considered highly unusual.

The monarch missed the Braemar Gathering highland games last weekend, which she usually attends each year.During her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the Queen only travelled to Buckingham Palace twice, first for her Trooping the Colour balcony appearance and then for a finale after the pageant.She secretly spent a night in hospital in October undergoing tests and was then under doctors’ orders to rest for the next three months, missing the Remembrance Sunday Cenotaph service and Cop26 climate change talks.The Queen contracted Covid-19 in February, and suffered from mild cold-like symptoms but said the virus left her “very tired and exhausted”. Elizabeth II is the first British monarch in history to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee.