Frail Queen sparks health fears as Privy Council meeting postponed

The Queen has been forced to postpone another major meeting, as doctors believe even a virtual appearance would be too much for the 96-year-old.

The Queen has postponed a meeting with the Privy Council after doctors advised her to rest, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.

The delayed meeting is the latest in a string of cancellations the 96-year-old monarch has been forced to make as she battles declining health.

She met the new Conservative Party leader at Balmoral, her Scottish residence, this week to appoint Liz Truss prime minister, rather than travel to Buckingham Palace or Windsor.

She was due to hold the Privy Council meeting virtually on Wednesday.

The proceedings would have seen Liz Truss take her oath as First Lord of the Treasury, while her new cabinet ministers would have been sworn into their roles.

A Palace spokesman said: “After a full day yesterday, Her Majesty has this afternoon accepted doctors’ advice to rest.

“This means that the Privy Council meeting that had been due to take place this evening will be rearranged.”

The Queen continues to suffer from mobility problems and has cancelled several official engagements short this year - and was forced to miss much of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, making only a brief appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

Shortly after she was appointed British Prime Minister by the Queen, Ms Truss jetted to Downing Street to deliver a rousing and optimistic first speech vowing to turn around the struggling country, saying: “We can do it.”

Racing back with aides who briefed her aboard the jet that landed at RAF Northolt in West London, the country’s new leader took her place at the podium to reassure the nation of a “bold” plan to reverse soaring energy bills, for economic reform and to support the NHS.

British Prime Minster Liz Truss delivers a speech at 10 Downing Street. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

“We now face severe global headwinds caused by Russia’s appalling war in Ukraine and the aftermath of Covid,” she said praying the rain would hold off.

“Now is the time to tackle the issues that are holding Britain back. We need to build roads, homes and broadband faster.

“We need to reduce the burden on families and help people get on in life. We have what it takes to tackle those challenges.

The Queen waits in the Drawing Room before receiving Liz Truss at Balmoral Castle. Picture: Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Liz Truss arrives in the Queen’s drawing room to meet the monarch. Picture: Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Queen, who had a dark bruise on her hand, meets Liz Truss at Balmoral Castle. Picture: Jane Barlow / POOL / AFP

“Of course, it won’t be easy, but we can transform Britain into an aspiration nation with high paying jobs, safe streets where everyone everywhere has the opportunities they deserve,” she said.

The new PM has started appointing her Cabinet by axing a series of supporters of ex-rival Rishi Sunak.

Kwasi Kwarteng has been announced as Chancellor and James Cleverly is Foreign Secretary. Suella Braverman takes the other Great Office of State as Home Secretary.

The new appointments mean for the first time there is no white man in any of the top posts.

Ms Truss, who won the Conservative Party leadership race over Rishi Sunak on an ambitious high-spending plan for the government on Monday, said the people of Great Britain have the mettle to execute her plan.

“Our country was built by people who get things done,” she said.

“We have huge reserves and talents of energy and determination. I am confident that, together, we can ride out the storm.”

New Conservative Party leader and Britain's Prime Minister-elect Liz Truss arrives at Balmoral Castle, Scotland, to meet the Queen. Picture: Andrew Milligan/Pool/AFP

Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party, Liz Truss, leaves Balmoral Castle in Ballater, Scotland. Picture: Andrew Milligan / POOL / AFP)

Earlier, outgoing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson took his wife Carrie along for an audience with the Queen to officially tender his resignation as his successor’s plane was seen circling the leaden skies of Aberdeen.

The Queen’s hand appears bruised as Her Majesty holds a walking stick. Picture: Jane Barlow / POOL / AFP

In what was a swift and formal visit, he officially tendered his resignation to the waiting Monarch at one of the rooms at Balmoral Castle, officially bowing out as Prime Minister to make way for Liz Truss.

Mr Johnson travelled to the Scottish estate by plane before making his way in a three-vehicle convoy for his 11.20am audience, cheerily waving to fans.

New Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng leaves Downing Street. Picture: Rob Pinney/Getty Images

Ms Truss finally arrived 10 minutes late for the handover in a four-car cavalcade with her accountant husband Hugh O’Leary at 12.20pm.

Her plane was seen circling about the tarmac looking for an opportunity to land in thick fog at Aberdeen Airport.

New Home Secretary Suella Braverman leaves Downing Street. Picture: Rob Pinney/Getty Images

She officially took control of the reins as the new British Prime Minister in a handover process conducted in the green-carpeted Drawing Room.

Buckingham Palace confirmed the handover has taken place and in a statement to the media, said “The Queen received in Audience The Right Honourable Elizabeth Truss MP today and requested her to form a new Administration.

“Ms Truss accepted Her Majesty’s offer and kissed hands upon her appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury.”

During the ceremony, called ‘kissing hands’, the Monarch, 96, officially invited Ms Truss, 47, to form a new Conservtive government making her the 15th Prime Minister of her 70-year reign and the country’s 56th.

Photos from the meeting were released to the public, with alarm immediately raised by what appears to be a dark blue bruise on the Queen’s right hand.

Royal expert Angela Levin said the monarch may have been receiving injections, while others raised concerns about circulation issues.

Former Foreign Secretary Ms Truss won a smaller share of the Conservative Party membership vote than any of her party predecessors on Monday, picking up 81, 326 votes to rival Rishi Sunak’s 60,399, ending a six-week heated leadership campaign.

JOHNSON CALL FOR PARTY TO ‘UNITE STRONGLY’

Former prime minister Boris Johnson has urged his party to “unite strongly” behind his successor Liz Truss in an at-times-jokey valedictory speech, as she prepared to be sworn in by the Queen.

Standing on the steps of No. 10 Downing Street for the last time, the ebullient outgoing leader of the Conservative Party addressed the nation calling for “fervent” support for his replacement who will be appointed at midday (9pm AEST).

Referring to himself as a “booster rocket that has fulfilled its function,” he said: “This is it folks … in only a couple of hours I will be in Balmoral to see Her Majesty the Queen and the torch will finally be passed.

“I will be offering this government nothing but the most fervent support.

“This is a tough time for the economy … for families.

“But I say to my fellow Conservatives, it’s time for politics to be over folks, for us all to get behind Liz Truss and her team and her program, and deliver for this country.”

Former British prime minister Boris Johnson delivers a farewell address before his official resignation at Downing Street. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Citing his achievements while in office from delivering Brexit, supplying weapons to the Ukrainian armed forces and the AUKUS pact with Australia and America, he also warned Russian president Vladimir Putin Britain will not be “bullied” or “blackmailed”.

Foreign Secretary Ms Truss, who won a smaller share of the Tory membership vote than any of her predecessors, garnering 81,326 votes to rival Rishi Sunak’s 60,399, will be officially received at the Monarch’s Scottish residence.

Mr Johnson flew 800km to the Highlands soon after reading his statement to formally tender his resignation to the Queen in a private meeting scheduled for the green-carpeted Drawing Room, becoming the 15th prime minister in her reign.

The incoming and outgoing leaders’ paths did not cross and both were travelling separately for security reasons.

This formal “kissing hands” ceremony involved the Queen inviting the winner to form a Government after which she will appoint her favoured cabinet.

New Conservative Party leader and new Prime Minister Liz Truss. Picture: Daniel Leal/AFP

The third female British Prime Minister now faces the unenviable task of reuniting the party after a leadership race marred by drama, U-turns and fallouts.

She said it had been a “hard-fought campaign” that showed “the depth and breadth of talent” in the party.

Ms Truss will chair her first Cabinet meeting on Wednesday morning.

She has already vowed to unveil moves to tackle soaring energy costs with a price freeze and will address the threat of crippling strikes, a winter health crisis and possible recession.

Originally published as Frail Queen sparks health fears as Privy Council meeting postponed