Queen Elizabeth's Recent Health Setbacks — from Her Hospitalization to Her COVID-19 Diagnosis

Queen Elizabeth has dealt with a number of health issues in recent months, starting with her use of a walking cane in October 2021

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II talks to members of the West Norfolk Befriending Society as she celebrates the start of the Platinum Jubilee at a reception in the Ballroom of Sandringham House, the Queen's Norfolk residence on February 5, 2022.
Queen Elizabeth. Photo: Joe Giddens/POOL/AFP via Getty
01 of 14

October 2021

Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth. Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty

Queen Elizabeth, 95, was joined by her daughter Princess Anne at a Service of Thanksgiving to mark the Centenary of the Royal British Legion on October 12. The monarch used a cane for the first time in public since 2003, when she used a walking stick while she was recovering from a knee surgery.

02 of 14

October 2021

Royals at Global Investment Summit
Queen Elizabeth at the engagement in Windsor Castle on October 19. ALASTAIR GRANT/POOL/AFP via Getty

After canceling a scheduled trip to Northern Ireland under medical advice from her doctors, the monarch spent a night in the hospital on October 20. The palace said that the Queen "remains in good spirits" following the overnight stay, during which she underwent "preliminary investigations."

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October 2021

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Queen Elizabeth. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

Following her hospitalization, it was announced that Queen Elizabeth was advised by doctors to rest for at least two weeks. The palace said she would continue to undertake "light, desk-based duties." The medical advice caused the Queen to miss the United Nations COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.

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October 2021

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Queen Elizabeth. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

In late October, reports surfaced that the Queen had not ridden her beloved ponies since early September due to "discomfort." It also emerged that the monarch was "told to give up her evening drink, which is usually a martini."

05 of 14

November 2021

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Sophie, Countess of Wessex attend the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph on November 14, 2021 in London, England.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall on Remembrance Sunday, with Kate Milddleton and Sophie, Countess of Wessex. Samir Hussein/Pool/WireImage

Queen Elizabeth decided not to appear at the November 14 Remembrance Day ceremony due to a sprained back. The Queen was said by a royal source to be "deeply disappointed," as she regards the moving ceremony as "one of the most significant engagements of the year."

06 of 14

November 2021

Queen Elizabeth II attends the opening ceremony of the sixth session of the Senedd at The Senedd on October 14, 2021 in Cardiff, Wales.
Queen Elizabeth. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

Things seemed to be looking up when Queen Elizabeth attended the joint baptism of two of her great-grandsons, Princess Eugenie's son August Brooksbank and Zara Tindall's child Lucas Tindall.

07 of 14

December 2021

Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth. Dominic Lipinski-WPA Pool/Getty

The Queen hosted a number of in-person meetings during the month of December, appearing cheerful as she greeted guests.

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December 2021

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arrive to attend the Christmas Day morning church service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on December 25, 2021 in Windsor, England.
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Jonathan Brady/WPA Pool/Getty

Queen Elizabeth opted not to celebrate a traditional Christmas with the royal family at Sandringham, partially due to the uptick in COVID-19 cases around the holidays. Instead, she spent the holiday with Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall at Windsor Castle.

09 of 14

February 2022

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Queen Elizabeth. Steve Parsons-WPA Pool/Getty

The monarch met with outgoing Defence Services Secretary Rear Admiral James Macleod as well as Major General Eldon Millar, who is taking over the position, at Windsor Castle on February 16.

They paused by the entrance and asked the monarch how she was.

"Well, as you can see, I can't move," the Queen, who held a walking cane, said while gesturing down.

10 of 14

February 2022

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Prince Andrew and Queen Elizabeth. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

Behind the scenes, Queen Elizabeth was dealing with a number of family scandals: Prince Andrew settled his sexual assault lawsuit, and police announced an investigation into Prince Charles' charity over cash-for-honors allegations.

11 of 14

February 2022

Queen Elizabeth II appears on a screen via videolink from Windsor Castle
Queen Elizabeth. VICTORIA JONES/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

On February 20, the palace announced that Queen Elizabeth had tested positive for COVID-19. "Her Majesty is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms but expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week," the palace said.

The diagnosis came shortly after both Prince Charles and Camilla also contracted the illness.

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June 2022

Queen Elizabeth II stands on the balcony during on June 05, 2022 in London, England. The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II is being celebrated from June 2 to June 5, 2022, in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952.
Queen Elizabeth. Frank Augstein - WPA Pool/Getty

On June 2, the palace announced that Queen Elizabeth would be taking a break during her four-day Platinum Jubilee celebration after a whirlwind day of Trooping the Colour celebrations left her feeling "some discomfort."

The monarch attended a beacon lighting ceremony that evening but was absent from the national service of thanksgiving in her honor at St. Paul's Cathedral the next day.

The palace also confirmed that the Queen would not be attending the June 4 Derby at Epsom Downs amid recent mobility issues.

13 of 14

September 2022

Queen Elizabeth II waits in the Drawing Room before receiving newly elected leader of the Conservative party Liz Truss at Balmoral Castle for an audience where she will be invited to become Prime Minister and form a new government on September 6, 2022 in Aberdeen, Scotland. The Queen broke with the tradition of meeting the new prime minister and Buckingham Palace, after needing to remain at Balmoral Castle due to mobility issues
Queen Elizabeth on Sept. 6, 2022 at Balmoral Castle. Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty

After the monarch appointed Liz Truss as the new prime minister of the United Kingdom at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Sept. 6, Buckingham Palace announced the following day that the Queen would not preside over a scheduled Privy Council meeting so she could rest.

"After a full day yesterday, Her Majesty has this afternoon accepted doctors' advice to rest," the palace said in a Sept. 7 statement. "This means that the Privy Council meeting that had been due to take place this evening will be rearranged."

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September 2022

Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth wearing Queen Victoria's blue sapphire and diamond brooch. Indigo/Getty

In a Sept. 8 statement, Buckingham Palace 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 statement added.

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