A VIDEO of the Queen pressing on with her royal duties was released tonight hours after Prince Philip was transferred to a specialist hospital as he battles a heart condition.
The upbeat clip shows the hard-working Monarch in good spirits during a video chat with high-ranking officials in Australia – even cracking a few jokes.
The call – made on February 24 – was with the Governor of South Australia, His Excellency the Hon. Hieu Van Le, and the Hon. Steven Marshall MP, Premier of South Australia.
Looking relaxed the dedicated 94-year-old made three jokes as she was shown a new statue of herself which has been erected on the other side of the world.
At the start of the call, Her Majesty is seen chuckling after saying: “Good morning. Well that’s good morning to me I don’t know what time of the day it is to you.”
The dedicated royal is then told about the vaccine roll-out programme in South Australia and how Aussies are “getting back to normal”.
The Queen replied: “That sounds very good. It must be very encouraging they can all get together too.”
She is later shown video of the life-size statute that has just been installed at Government House, in Adelaide.
Hieu Van Le told how it is “the most popular place for people to take photographs” and they “feel very close to you through standing in front of this statue”.
The Queen laughs as she says: “Oh really?” Then adds: “Yes I think possibly it could be quite alarming for them just to suddenly see them out of the window.”
It is followed by laughter from Mr Van Le, South Australia Premier Steven Marshall and sculptor Robert Hannaford, The Queen added: “Goodness gracious has she arrived yet…unexpectedly.”
She was the presented with a mini version called a ‘maquette’ which will be sent to Buckingham Palace.
And raising another laugh, she said: “That’s very kind. I am glad it’s not as big as the original.
“And thank you very much for my maquette. Very glad to see you again.”
The Duke of Edinburgh, 99, was taken to the King Edward VII hospital almost two weeks ago as a “precautionary measure”.
Buckingham Palace said earlier today he has now been moved to London’s St Bartholomew’s hospital until at least the end of the week.
The Duke will undergo testing for the heart condition at the hospital, which is one of the country’s leading specialist cardiac centres.
The Palace said: “The Duke of Edinburgh was today transferred from King Edward VII’s Hospital to St Bartholomew’s Hospital where doctors will continue to treat him for an infection, as well as undertake testing and observation for a pre-existing heart condition.
“The Duke remains comfortable and is responding to treatment but is expected to remain in hospital until at least the end of the week.”
Philip was pictured leaving London’s King Edward VII clinic in an ambulance this morning as police guarded his way.
A police van was used to protect the Duke from being photographed, while staff shielded his way with umbrellas.
Philip has so far spent a total of 13 nights being cared for by medics – his longest ever stay in hospital.
As Queen of Australia and Head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty has made 16 visits to the country throughout her reign.
Last May, she held a telephone audience with the Hon. Scott Morrison MP, the PM of Australia, to receive an update on the country’s response to Covid-19.
