London, April 15: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth was forced to miss a public engagement after suffering from a bleeding nose, officials said.
Buckingham Palace officials confirmed that the queen was due to attend a service of the Royal Victorian Order at Windsor Castle with other members of the royal family, but was forced to pull out, according to The Sun.
“There was a service and a reception at Windsor. She was able to attend the reception but not the service because of a nosebleed,” a palace spokesman said.
The queen, who turns 85 next week, has rarely taken time off due to illness during her 59-year reign, according to officials.
In 2006, the queen strained a back muscle and had to cancel a few engagements. Even in 2003, only a few appointments were cancelled after she underwent knee surgery.
The monarch has a busy year ahead of her. After the royal wedding of her grandson, Prince William April 29, the queen would travel to Ireland on a state visit next month and would welcome US president Barack Obama who is scheduled to visit Britain.
–IANS