15°c Clear
25°c Variable cloudiness
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
Queen Elizabeth II leaves London hospital after treatment for stomach bug
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II leaves the King Edward VII hospital following a one-day stay caused by a stomach ailment, London Monday, March 4, 2013. The 86-year-old queen fell ill Friday and was being treated at Windsor Castle until Sunday, when she was moved to a central London hospital as a precaution. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
LONDON - Queen Elizabeth II returned home Monday after receiving treatment for a stomach infection that prompted a brief and rare hospitalization for the 86-year-old monarch.
A smiling Elizabeth walked unassisted out of King Edward VII Hospital on Monday afternoon, bidding farewell to staff outside. She was then driven away in a motorcade.
"The queen has left the King Edward VII's Hospital having been admitted briefly as part of the assessment of symptoms of gastroenteritis," the palace said in a short statement issued after her release.
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach, the intestine, or both, and it is generally caused either by food poisoning or the norovirus, a common winter vomiting bug that affects several hundred thousand Britons every year but which is very rarely dangerous.
The queen cancelled engagements for this week due to the illness, although she could be back to work by next week. Doctors who weren't involved with Elizabeth's treatment believe she may have been hospitalized as a precaution.
It was the monarch's first hospitalization in 10 years, but it set off few alarm bells in Britain, where she is seen as being in excellent health. Although not as physically active as she used to be, the queen still maintains a demanding schedule.
Unofficial court figures indicate she carried out roughly 400 official engagements in 2012 — ranging from weekly one-on-one meetings with the prime minister to gatherings of 100 or more people.
Britain's royal-obsessed tabloids all wished Elizabeth well, while the Daily Mail's royal correspondent, Richard Kay, wondered whether the country expected too much from Elizabeth. Kay noted that the queen — and her 91-year-old husband, Prince Philip — spent hours on their feet in the cold and pouring rain during the river pageant meant to mark her Diamond Jubilee last year.
"Many may today be asking the same question posed after that extraordinary display of quiet physical and moral courage: Are we asking too much of the Queen?" he wrote.
But most Britons seemed to take Elizabeth's illness in stride. There were no concerned crowds of well-wishers gathered outside the hospital Monday morning — only news media keeping an eye out for royal visitors coming to pay their respects.
Meanwhile, the royal universe was returning to normal. Soon after the queen left the hospital, the royal standard — the four-part flag meant to indicate that the queen is in residence — was raised above Buckingham Palace in London.
___
Gregory Katz contributed to this report.
Fact Check
Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.
More FP News Top Story
- Back to Top
- Return to FP News Top Story
More FP News Top Story
(1 of 50 articles for this year)
Harper assailed for cutting Elections Canada budget despite vote problems
05/1/2013 5:40 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular FP News Top Story
- American-US Airways merger could jeopardize major hub airports, as mega airline consolidates
- US couple flees house infested with garter snakes, describe living in a 'horror movie'
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Critics blame feds for poor return of sockeye to Fraser River in 2009
- Ageless Teemu Selanne rests up for playoff drive with Anaheim Ducks
- In urban centres, more and more chickens coming home to roost - and lay eggs
- Ten years after 9-11, Canada-U.S. relationship has both trouble spots and bright spots
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- Free nicotine patches, gum to Ontario smokers being treated for other addictions
- Harper government has no plans to sell Via Rail: Transport spokesman
- Harper government has no plans to sell Via Rail: Transport spokesman
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- CGI establishes Ottawa centre focused on cyber security for businesses
- US couple flees house infested with garter snakes, describe living in a 'horror movie'
- American-US Airways merger could jeopardize major hub airports, as mega airline consolidates
- Seven killed in crash of plane chartered by Kinross Gold Corp. in Mauritania
- Pressure grows to improve human rights for transgender people in Newfoundland
- Afghan army gives donated rifles back to Canada in favour of U.S. weapons
- Canadian submarine HMCS Windsor slowly lowered into Halifax harbour
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- Harper government has no plans to sell Via Rail: Transport spokesman
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- Pressure grows to improve human rights for transgender people in Newfoundland
- Ten years after 9-11, Canada-U.S. relationship has both trouble spots and bright spots
- Police: Boston Marathon bomb suspect fired shots from boat, hospitalized in serious condition
- In unusual pattern, Oklahoma tornado tracked path of 1999 monster twister with record winds
- US couple flees house infested with garter snakes, describe living in a 'horror movie'
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.