Queen Cancels Two Days Of Engagements

The Queen has cancelled the rest of her public engagements this week as she recovers from illness, Buckingham Palace has announced.

She will continue to carry out her official duties within the palace, according to an official statement.

But her visit to London's Tech City on Wednesday and attendance at a chapel service on Thursday have been called off, with other members of the Royal Family due to take her place.

The Palace said in a statement: "The Queen continues to make a good recovery following her recent illness, and today she presented the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry and held a series of audiences.

"However, regrettably, she will no longer attend the Tech City engagement planned for tomorrow, or the Soldiers' and Airmen's Scriptures Association Service at the Guards Chapel on Thursday.

"The Duke of York will represent The Queen at the Tech City visit, and The Duke of Edinburgh will attend the Guards Chapel Service as planned.

"Her Majesty will, however, continue with the usual rhythm of business at Buckingham Palace, including holding a Privy Council meeting tomorrow.

"The Queen hopes to resume her programme of official engagements next week."

Doubt was cast over the Queen's trip to the East End where the Tech City firms are based after she was forced to cancel an appearance at a major Commonwealth service on Monday - for the first time in 20 years.

Buckingham Palace gave some details about the Queen's health yesterday when a spokeswoman said: "This time last week she was in hospital but she's in great spirits and apart from this is in good health and will be going to the reception in the evening.

"It's just the tail end of the symptoms, her condition has not worsened at all."