The Queen's busy October schedule ahead of night in hospital
- Published
The Queen has been told by her doctors to rest for two weeks and only undertake light duties until mid-November.
Earlier this month, she spent a night in hospital for some medical investigations - her first overnight hospital stay in eight years.
But that followed a particularly busy few weeks of public engagements across the UK for the 95-year-old monarch.
1 October
The Queen began the month at her Balmoral Estate in Scotland, where she helped to plant a tree with the Prince of Wales.
The pair were promoting their campaign urging people across the UK to plant a tree ahead of the Platinum Jubilee next year. She and Prince Charles met primary school children during the event.
Prince Charles, known as the Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland, planted a tree with his mother for the Queen's Green Canopy campaign
The monarch spoke with schoolchildren from Crathie Primary at the event
2 October
The following day, the Queen was more than 100 miles away in Edinburgh for the opening of the sixth session of the Scottish Parliament.
It was the first time she had attended the ceremony without Prince Philip, who died this year aged 99. During her speech, she spoke of her deep affection for Scotland.
6 October
A few days later, the Queen held audiences with diplomats from Belize and Greece over video call.
The same day, she met members of the Canadian Army at Windsor Castle at an event to mark the 150th anniversary of the A and B batteries of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery. She later had a telephone call with Boris Johnson.
The Queen presented the Captain General's Sword to representatives of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
7 October
The Queen then travelled to London to attend the launch of the Commonwealth Games baton relay at Buckingham Palace.
It was her first major event at Buckingham Palace since the Covid pandemic began and she was joined by her youngest son, Prince Edward.
The Queen placed a message in the baton, which will travel through 72 Commonwealth nations and territories ahead of the Games in 2022
12 October
A few days later she attended a church service at Westminster Abbey to mark the centenary of The Royal British Legion.
Accompanied by the Princess Royal, she was seen using a walking stick as she arrived via the Poet's Yard entrance.
The Westminster Abbey service was thought to be the first time the Queen had used a stick at a major public event
13 October
The Queen welcomed pianist Dame Imogen Cooper to Buckingham Palace, presenting her with The Queen's Medal for Music for 2019.
She also held three other audiences.
The Queen's Medal for Music is awarded each year and 2019's went to English classical pianist Imogen Cooper
14 October
The following day, the Queen travelled to Cardiff to open the sixth term of the Senedd.
It was her first visit to Wales in five years, and she praised the spirit of the Welsh people during the pandemic.
While there, she was overheard appearing to say she was irritated by people who "talk" but "don't do" anything on climate change.
A 21-gun salute in Cardiff Bay marked the Queen's arrival in the city
16 October
By Saturday she was back in England - attending Champions Day at Ascot racecourse in Berkshire.
The Queen has a lifelong love of horseracing
18 October
The Queen held a virtual audience with the new governor-general of New Zealand Dame Cindy Kiro. The governor-general's role is to act as the Queen's representative in New Zealand.
19 October
On Tuesday she had two virtual audiences during the day with the Japanese ambassador and the EU ambassador.
Then in the evening she was back at Windsor Castle hosting a reception for guests attending the Global Investment Summit, including billionaire business leaders like Microsoft's Bill Gates.
The Queen was joined by the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge at the reception
Related topics
- Published22 October 2021
- Published20 October 2021
- Published19 October 2021
