ITV has followed the BBC and cancelled all its scheduled programme amid concerns for the Queen's health. Following Tipping Point, which aired between 4pm and 5pm on Thursday (September 8), the broadcaster reverted to news coverage.
Buckingham Palace issued a statement this afternoon saying royal doctors were concerned for health. They said the head of state is comfortable and royal physicians have recommended she stays under medical supervision.
It comes after the 96-year-old monarch pulled out of a virtual Privy Council on Wednesday, a day after appointing Liz Truss as prime minister at Balmoral Castle.
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A Palace spokesperson said in a statement issued at 12.32pm: "Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision. The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral."
The Queen’s four children – the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex – rushed to be by her bedside and were joined by the Duchess of Cornwall and the Countess of Wessex. The Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex also made their way to their grandmother's Scottish Highlands home.
Earlier on Thursday, I TV came under fire for continuing to air Loose Women as normal despite the new breaking minutes into its scheduled broadcast. But prior to The Chase's usual airing at 5pm, an announcement came for viewers tuning into the channel to confirm that an ITV News special will be airing.
It is not yet known how long it will air for, but it is likely to run into the usual news segment, which begins at 6pm and airs for an hour and a half before Emmerdale at 7pm.
Messages expressing deep concern flooded in from political leaders, while the Archbishop of Canterbury said the “prayers of the nation” are with the Queen. Ms Truss said “the whole country will be deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime” adding: “My thoughts – and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom – are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time.”
The Queen has had ongoing mobility issues and looked bright but frail while using a walking stick during Tuesday’s audience with Ms Truss, which followed a visit from outgoing prime minister Boris Johnson as he tendered his resignation.
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle interrupted a speech by SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford, during an energy debate in the House of Commons, to tell MPs in the House of Commons: "I know I speak on behalf of the entire House when I say that we send our best wishes to Her Majesty the Queen and that she and the royal family are in our thoughts and prayers at this moment."
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