Queen falls ill and cancels visit to St Paul's Cathedral

The Queen has been forced to cancel an engagement at St Paul's Cathedral in London today because she is feeling ill.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: 'The Queen is feeling under the weather today and has decided not to attend this morning's service at St Paul's Cathedral marking the 200th anniversary of the Order of St Michael and St George.'

She added: 'Her Majesty will be represented by The Duke of Kent as Grand Master of the Order.'

No doctor has been called and the 92-year-old Queen is expected to travel from Buckingham Palace in the capital to Windsor Castle in Berkshire this afternoon for the weekend as planned.

Her programme of events in Scotland next week is also still due to take place.

The Queen is the longest serving monarch in British history, having marked 65 years on the throne last year - and she still maintains a busy schedule of events.

Instituted in 1918, the Order of St Michael and St George recognises service in a foreign country or in relation to foreign and Commonwealth affairs.

The Order consists of the Sovereign, Grand Master (Duke of Kent), 125 Knights and Dames Grand Cross, 375 Knights and Dames Commander and 1,750 Companions.

The Badge of the Order depicts St George fighting the dragon on one side, and the archangel St Michael trampling Satan on the other.





MailOnline