Queen In 'Good Spirits' As Treatment Continues

The Queen is reportedly in "good spirits" on the second day of her recovery from symptoms of gastroenteritis in hospital.

She contracted the stomach bug on Friday and was admitted to King Edward VII's Hospital in central London on Sunday as a "precaution".

A spokesman for Her Majesty said she is "otherwise in good health".

The 86-year-old was well enough on Sunday to meet an employee privately to award her a medal for long service before travelling by private car to the hospital.

"She travelled by private car. There was never any suggestion at all of an ambulance taking her," a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said.

She is likely to stay at the hospital for two days, so has been forced to cancel a visit to HMS Lancaster in London today, and a reception for MPs and MEPs at Buckingham Palace will now be hosted by another member of the royal family.

A two-day tour to Rome with the Duke of Edinburgh, which was due to begin on Thursday, has also been called off to allow the monarch to rest.

Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Duke of Edinburgh will undertake a solo public engagement today.

He is due to attend an event as an honorary member of the Imperial Poona Yacht Club at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in London's Knightsbridge.

It is the first time the Queen has been admitted to hospital in nearly 10 years.

She last had a hospital stay in December 2003 for an operation on her left knee.

It is believed the Queen will not be receiving visitors.

A royal source said: "She is very much known for not making a fuss."

The Duchess of Cambridge was treated at King Edward VII's Hospital last December for acute morning sickness.