The Queen.

My mum is in her nineties FannyCornforth, and has stopped drinking because it increases the risk of falling, which is a huge issue for the very elderly. Not that she ever got drunk, but even one glass of wine now affects her more and she’s worried enough about that not to drink at all now.

She's still driving herself about. I suspect the mind is willing but the flesh may be weak.

She may well just have arthritis and be in a great deal of pain. Many of us can empathise with that.
There is no sign of mental frailty, and even for 95 she doesn't work harder than many considering that all domestic tasks are done for her.
I think that graceful retirement would and should be the obvious step despite what she said all those years ago. Even monarchs have to bow to circumstances.

Why would it be necessary / beneficial to give up alcohol late in life?
Does anyone know?
I’ve wondered a this before

Didn't used to be treasons o speculate on the Sovereign's health?

She vowed 'my whole life' so she won't stand down and shouldn't but I hope she gets afternoons of racing with the custard creams- apparently she has given up alcohol so no sherry.

Aveline

I wonder if she's had a hip replacement. That could account for her recent overnight stay in hospital and slightly reduced mobility. Her mother had one at quite an advanced age and I can't remember if Philip had one.

I think if she’d had a hip replacement, the Palace would have announced it.

I wonder if she's had a hip replacement. That could account for her recent overnight stay in hospital and slightly reduced mobility. Her mother had one at quite an advanced age and I can't remember if Philip had one.

Because she didn’t make all public duties with her husband he was there, to talk with, to share, to support, to understand.

Dogs, friends, custard creams !

The Queen's dog; a cocker spaniel called Lissi (nee Wolferton Drama)

Ooh yes, that does sound nice Coastpath
And she has a little dog too to cuddle, doesn’t she?
And she has lots of ‘friends’ (lady’s maids) who live with her. That must be lovely.

FannyCornforth I love the idea of Her Majesty putting her feet up her feet in front of the racing with a packet of custard creams. I hope she does that often, perhaps with a crafty sherry on the go.

None of us would expect to have to work as hard as Her Majesty does at her age .

She looked so frail and alone at Prince Philip's funeral and her son and grandson have both caused her so much anxiety .

Duty comes first with the queen. It always has, and she made a vow at her coronation to reign for the rest of her life. So I expect that's what she will do, despite increasing age and frailty.

I think there’s something in what Sparklefizz says. If a wheelchair were needed she wouldn’t want to be seen in it. People remember the shock of seeing how Princess Margaret had deteriorated when she appeared in a wheelchair shortly before her death.

She's an elderly woman who has had a lot to deal with over the past couple of years. She's always been stoic and is probably determined to carry on as usual.

I read this morning that she didn't want to be seen in a wheelchair when presumably that is what she would need.

She is a very old lady with her wits still about her. She is too proud to be seen with any walking aids, even with a stick. Good luck to her still working at her age. The media is going on about her health, what do they expect ?

I feel the PA situation must be physically and mentally draining. And no, I certainly don't believe he ever is or was her 'favourite'. One can still hate the sin but love the sinner. Also H must be a niggle but not dramatically so. Certainly wouldn't like her family woes but they are for the heart and not public knowledge thank goodness. I certainly feel heart sorry for her.

She has been used to attending events without Prince Philip for years, after he retired from public life. She obviously has mobility problems and would have to do a lot of walking, getting up and down and meeting and greeting at the service. It would take quite a toll on her. I would rather she conserved her energy.

I do wish she would step down and hand the reigns over to Charles - she suddenly seems to be quite frail, she needs to rest and have some peace during her last years.

I hear that she hasn't been able to walk her dogs for the last 6 months, which she loves to do. So I'm sure it's a physical problem that stops her attending these events.

Yes I expect she is quite frail now but she must be missing Prince Phillip too as they were together a long time the same as any widow. I just remember the Queen Mother being there when there was a Royal occasion so thats why I said 'everywhere'.

I think a lot of very elderly people lost mobility during the pandemic, not doing what they usually do. The Queen’s life changed like everybody else’s.

She clearly doesn’t want us to see how frail she really is. Remember the shock when Princess Margaret was wheeled out of Clarence House shortly before she died - and that was just a few yards from the entrance.

Not being rude here but why are people speculating so much about an 95 year old woman doing a bit less than she used to?