QUEEN ELIZABETH II was forced to call off a royal engagement just half an hour before she was due to arrive because of a health issue.

The Queen sparked health concerns after she was forced to pull out of an engagement she carries out every year because of a cold. The monarch was due to visit the Sandringham branch of the Women's Institute in Norfolk today.

However, the Queen caught a cold and no longer felt "up to" attending the meeting at the West Newton Village hall, a member of her security team said.

During her yearly visit to the Women's Institute, Her Majesty usually enjoys tea and cake with the ladies members of the association.

She then listens to a speech delivered every year by a different guest.

This year, the speech was delivered by BBC newsreader Huw Edwards.

This annual visit is particularly important for the monarch, who has been attending meetings at the Women's Institute since 1943.

Source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1232450/queen-health-latest-queen-elizabeth-ii-news-royal-family-news/amp

On that year, she took over as President of the association from Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

The role was passed on to the Queen Mother by King George V's widow, Queen Mary.

Speaking ahead of Thursday's meeting, Mr Edwards said it was "daunting and exciting in equal measure" to have been invited to talk at the event.

Before it emerged the Queen would not be attending, Edwards added: "I'm no stranger to public speaking but I think this is a slightly exceptional event so I'm being brave and been thinking carefully about what I might want to say.

"I think a bit like the Prime Minister allegedly before Brexit, I've got several options, I've got several versions.

"I'm not quite decided yet on what the ultimate message will be but I'd like to talk a little bit about the business I'm in and the way it's changed over the years and what the challenges are now in terms of journalism and broadcasting.

"Maybe that sounds a bit serious but I'll try to do something along those lines."

After the cancellations royal experts were reassured by the palace the Queen was not suffering from anything more serious than a slight cold.

Rebecca English wrote: "No cause for alarm, I am assured."

The monarch was last seen in public on Sunday, when she attended service with her son Prince Andrew.

Dressed in a chequered grey-and-black outfit, the Queen broadly smiled at well-wishers and the camera.

The Queen travelled to Norfolk on December 20, and is set to remain there until February 6 - the birthday of her late father, King George VI.

The Queen's latest health issue comes after her husband Prince Philip was taken to hospital in the run-up to Christmas.

Prince Philip spent four nights at King Edward VII hospital in central London and was dismissed on Christmas Eve, when he was flown back to Sandringham in a helicopter.

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