Concerns over Queen Elizabeth II’s health have been sparked by recent photos of the beloved monarch, who is reportedly “fading away before our very eyes,” according to a royal specialist. Daniela Elser, a royal scholar, said that the pictures of the Queen receiving Margaret Beazley, the governor of New South Wales, in the UK last week were “nothing short of worrisome.”
Elser stated in an opinion post published on Friday, June 24, for the Australian website News.com.au that “the disparity is absolutely stunning.” The images show the 96-year-old monarch smiling and donning a vivid yellow dress as she shakes hands with the Australian politician inside Windsor Castle.
Elser contends that the difference is remarkable when compared to images of the Queen wearing a comparable gown in June 2021 when she met former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. According to the royal expert, “Her Majesty would appear to have become noticeably more stooped, much thinner, and overall appears to have shrunk” in the last 12 months.
Since last October, according to Elser, the Queen has been forced to “bow out of formerly non-negotiable events practically every month,” and he speculated that the full extent of her health issues is being kept a secret. The specialist said, “It’s difficult for assistants. It’s difficult for them to publicly provide the media with a running commentary on whatever might be troubling [the queen].”
The royal family, according to Elser, must be relatively open if they don’t want to come out as “squirrelly and secretive,” especially now that the problem with Prince Andrew has tarnished the family’s reputation.
Since she was spotted using a walking stick for the first time in 17 years in October of last year, the Queen’s health has been in the news. An insider claimed at the time that the crutch was offered for her “comfort.” She was admitted to the hospital later that month, which required her to delay her trip to Ireland until after she had resumed her royal duties.
However, a May statement from Buckingham Palace said that the Queen would “reluctantly” forego a royal engagement due to “mobility issues,” and that the decision was made after “consulting with her doctors.”
For the first time since her coronation seven decades ago, the Queen skipped Royal Ascot last week. She also cancelled engagements earlier this month due to “discomfort” after the massive Platinum Jubilee celebrations honouring her record 70 years of service. She participated in the Trooping the Colour parade but skipped the National Thanksgiving Service and only made a holographic cameo during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.
She remarked in a statement made during the Jubilee, “Even though I might not have physically been at every event, my heart has always been with you all. With the help of my family, I’ll continue to do everything in my power to serve you. The recent outpouring of kindness, joy, and kinship has inspired me, and I hope that this revitalised sense of community will last for many years to come.”