Queen Elizabeth grinned broadly as she left hospital yesterday, one day earlier than expected.
The 86-year-old monarch walked unaided out of London’s King Edward VII Hospital at 2.45pm yesterday afternoon, less than 24 hours after she was admitted.
Dressed in a smart red wool coat, a pearl necklace and large diamond brooch, the Queen looked happy and healthy as she made her way back to her car.
The Queen was admitted to the central London hospital on Sunday evening, suffering symptoms of gastroenteritis.
She was expected to remain under supervision in hospital for two days, but surprised everyone when she announced she felt well enough to return home to Buckingham Palace a full 24 hours earlier than planned.
But despite her smiles and early discharge from hospital, the Queen will not be carrying out any public appearances for the rest of the week.
“Engagements cancelled or postponed this week remain so,” a spokesman said. “Next week we’ll have to see, as she has only just been released from hospital.”
It was the monarch’s first hospitalisation in a decade, and she was believed to be adamant that “no fuss” was made over her illness.
She was so determined to avoid any trouble that she chose to spend the weekend resting at Windsor Castle, instead of seeking medical attention as soon as her symptoms began last week.
When her illness worsened, Her Majesty refused an ambulance, opting instead for her usual car and driver.
It was only the fifth time the Queen has been hospitalised in her 60-year reign.
She was hospitalised in 1982 when she had a wisdom tooth removed, in 1994 when she broke her wrist in a horse riding accident, and twice in 2003 for surgery on both knees.
Her commitment to her role means she has only cancelled a handful of engagements in the past decade — usually due to heavy colds or back pain — despite her advancing age.
