Queen's Rome Trip In Doubt Due To Illness

The Queen is resting after suffering symptoms of gastroenteritis.

She was set to attend a military celebration in Swansea on Saturday as part of Wales' St David's Day celebrations, but was forced to cancel because of sickness.

A spokeswoman said she will spend the rest of the weekend at Windsor Castle.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on her condition on Saturday afternoon.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are due to fly out to Rome for a two-day visit next week, which could now be in doubt.

A palace spokesman said the visit was still due to take place, but a decision would be made after she was assessed.

The Queen, who is 86, has undertaken a number of engagements during the last week.

On Tuesday she met the Archbishop of Canterbury at Buckingham Palace, and on Thursday she presented a host of Olympic stars with honours during an investiture ceremony.

The ceremony went ahead as planned with the Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, Byron Lewis.

A council spokesman said: "Due to minor illness, Her Majesty The Queen is unable to attend Saturday's event.

"The ceremony will continue as planned and will be carried out by the Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, Mr Byron Lewis."

The Queen has rarely missed a royal engagement due to ill health in recent years.

She was last forced to pull out of an investiture ceremony in October last year after suffering with a bad back.

She also missed a visit to the British Museum in October 2011 because of a cold.