Royals

Queen Elizabeth hits back at rumours of failing health

Oct 01, 2017

Looks like we can say "cheerio" to those rumours.

Rumours about the Queen’s “failing” health have been flying thick and fast lately, what with her public appearances dwindling and an extended stay at Balmoral castle in Aberdeenshire, but the Queen seems determined to prove that she’s fighting fit.

As Prince Harry’s time in the spotlight at the Invictus Games draws to a close, the Queen has stepped out for her latest public engagements, looking healthy and in great spirits.

Donning a tweed coat dress and matching hat in pale blue, the Queen beamed as she opened the Robertson Family Roof Garden at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

In a set of photos posted to the official Instagram of the royal family, the garden is described as therapeutic place that “gives patients, relatives, visitors and staff the chance to get fresh air and interact with nature, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week”.

£667,000 (more than AUD$1 million) was raised to create the garden, which is fully accessible even to those in intensive care.

Today The Queen has been in Aberdeen to open the Robertson Family Roof Garden at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. The therapeutic garden gives patients, relatives, visitors and staff the chance to get fresh air and interact with nature, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is fully accessible to all, including patients who are fully ventilated and in intensive care. During the visit, HM had the chance to meet the healthcare Chaplain who pioneered the project and received a tour from Professor Nigel Dunnett, the garden designer. The Queen also met a number of staff, volunteers and those who helped raise £667,000 to create the garden. ?PA

A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) on Sep 29, 2017 at 12:14pm PDT

With her trademark three-strand pearl necklace and matching earrings, and a pair of black gloves to ward off the chill, the Queen was treated to a tour of the garden and presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

The tour of the garden was followed up by a trip to the Sue Ryder Dee View Court Neurological Centre, the only purpose-built specialist neurological centre in Scotland. The Queen is a patron for the charity that runs Dee View Court.

As residents and staff lined up for an opportunity to meet the Queen, she looked positively radiant and without a trace of the health issues that some have speculated will lead to her abdication.

Also in Aberdeen, The Queen visited the Sue Ryder Dee View Court Neurological Centre, to meet the residents and staff and learn more about the work they do. Dee View Court is run by Charity Sue Ryder, of which HM is Patron, and it is the only purpose built specialist neurological centre in Scotland. It offers 24/7 specialist care to those living with complex and progressive neurological conditions. An Appeal was launched in June 2017 to extend the facilities and provides homes for 20 more people. The very first donation came from The Patron’s Fund, a charitable fund set up to acknowledge the work of the charitable organisations for which The Queen is Patron. ?PA

A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) on Sep 29, 2017 at 12:19pm PDT

Given the Queen’s apparent robust health at 91 years old, Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams may have been closer to the mark with his recent statement to Express.co.uk.

“I think it is important to emphasise that the Queen will never abdicate. When she swore to serve her whole life she meant every word of it and she has now ruled for over 65 years. The fact that the Prince of Wales is the longest serving in the role in history is not relevant, nor is the abdication of other European monarchs or the Pope.”