Illness forces Queen to cancel South Wales visit (From Free Press Series)

Illness forces Queen to cancel South Wales visit

12:20pm Saturday 2nd March 2013 in News

The Queen has been forced to cancel a planned visit to Wales after suffering from symptoms of gastroenteritis, Buckingham Palace has said.

She was due to attend a military celebration in Swansea on Saturday during the city's St David's Day celebrations.

A palace spokeswoman said the Queen will instead spend the weekend at Windsor, where she will be assessed.

The Queen was due to travel through Swansea to the Guildhall where she would present St David's Day leeks to the 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh, of whom she is Colonel-in-Chief. She was then invited to a reception with members of the battalion and their families, before proceeding to the George Hall for lunch.

A palace spokeswoman said: "The Queen will no longer visit Swansea tomorrow as she is experiencing symptoms of gastroenteritis. She will be assessed in the coming days. Her Majesty is currently spending the weekend at Windsor, as usual."

The Queen presented a host of Olympic stars with honours during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Thursday.

She and the Duke of Edinburgh are due to fly out to Rome for a two-day visit next week.

A palace spokesman said the Queen's visit to Rome was still due to take place but a decision would be made after she is assessed in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Swansea Council said the ceremony would go ahead on Saturday as planned with the Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, Byron Lewis.

A council spokesman said: "Due to minor illness, Her Majesty The Queen is unable to attend Saturday's event. The ceremony will continue as planned and will be carried out by the Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, Mr Byron Lewis."