AS someone whose job it is to photograph the Queen’s every public move, I know just how tough her recent schedule has been.
The monarch had at least 16 formal events in her diary for October — and she’s due to attend Cop26 in Glasgow, which will showcase Britain’s diplomatic clout to the world.
This woman has phenomenal strength and endurance.
But she’s 95, and no one can stop the ageing process.
I was already in Belfast on Wednesday when the Queen cancelled her two-day visit to celebrate the centenary of Northern Ireland.
Naturally, I was concerned. But having witnessed much of her recent workload first- hand, I wasn’t surprised.
Earlier this month, I photographed the Queen using a walking stick for support as she attended a service at Westminster Abbey.
It was the first time she’d used one in 20 years.
The monarch used the aid at the October 12 service marking the centenary of the Royal British Legion.
She used it again two days later at the formal opening of the Welsh parliament.
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The Queen had previously been seen using a walking stick in 2003 and 2004 after a knee operation.
Having had two knee ops myself, I know how excruciating the pain can be.
She’s using the stick for comfort and reassurance.
There were also reports last weekend that the Queen was forgoing her daily tipple. Her alcoholic beverages of choice are dry martini, gin and Dubonnet, and sweet wine.
Walking stick
Last Saturday, she was at Champions Day at Ascot racecourse in Berkshire.
As a passionate racehorse owner, for her this was likely more pleasure than business.
Then on Tuesday she was officiating at Windsor Castle at a Global Investment Summit.
She wore a lovely blue outfit and people were so pleased to see her. She was smiling and chatting away to billionaire Bill Gates, and US climate envoy John Kerry.
As she does so well, our head of state schmoozed the whole room. She was on her feet for more than 45 minutes.
At 81, I’m a good few years younger than the Queen, but sometimes I don’t have her energy.
Then on Wednesday she cancelled her visit to Northern Ireland — where she hadn’t been for five years and would have been desperate to go.
A Palace spokesman said the monarch had “reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days”.
For me, the word that jumps out here is “reluctantly”. The Queen would have loathed cancelling the visit.
We were led to believe by the Palace that it was nothing and that she was just resting up in Windsor. In fact — as The Celeb Report’s exclusive revealed — she overnighted at King Edward VII’s Hospital in Marylebone, London.
There have been questions about why the Palace did not immediately issue a statement.
The expectation is that, when the head of state has to stay in hospital, everybody is automatically told.
It is the first time the Queen has stayed in hospital since 2013, when she suffered gastroenteritis symptoms.
When a doctor examines the Queen he doesn’t want to take any chances. They are ultra-cautious. If they think there could be one little thing wrong, they get it checked out.
I was relieved to hear the Queen was well enough to undertake some light duties after leaving hospital on Thursday.
The problem her aides will now face is trying to stop her doing too much.
Her pledge to serve the nation at her coronation in 1953 is as firm now as it was back then. This is a woman for whom duty and service mean everything.
Her role is her life. And she is determined to carry on that role as long as she can.
We got a glimpse of her attitude to her advancing years earlier this week when she declined a magazine’s Oldie of the Year award.
She “politely but firmly” turned down the Oldie magazine honour, declaring: “You are only as old as you feel”.
We can assume from that that Her Majesty doesn’t feel anything like 95.
So, don’t expect an abdication. The Queen will never quit, though she may stand back and let Princes Charles and William do more.
Greatest asset
The Queen dictates her own pace and has already cut down on her workload.
No one but ardent republicans want her to quit — her approval ratings are sky-high — and in my view she’s Britain’s greatest asset.
In her nineties she’s still able to have lucid and intelligent conversations with dignitaries and politicians. She’s always impeccable — never a scuff on her shoe or ladder in her tights.
I’m due to photograph the Queen when world leaders gather at Cop26 at the end of this month.
The green summit is hugely important — it could help prevent environmental catastrophe.
The Queen’s presence would doubtless help oil the wheels of diplomacy. Every head of state wants to meet her.
I hope she will be there but I will say this: Ma’am, if you’re not feeling up to it, please don’t attend.
Let Prince Charles lead the way on a topic close to his heart. However, I firmly believe she will be there.
For Elizabeth II will always put her nation and its people first.
