BBC newsreader Huw Edwards has taken over the reins of the broadcaster's special news program updating people on the Queen's health wearing a black suit and tie. Highlighting the seriousness of the situation, the newsreader donned the black ensemble - BBC protocol for serious royal illnesses and deaths.
The BBC has cleared its scheduled programming for Thursday afternoon following the announcement that the Queen is under medical supervision. The BBC cut short its midday show for a news special as the monarch was said to be under supervision at Balmoral, after doctors became concerned for her health.
Regular broadcasting was interrupted during Bargain Hunt, as a BBC newsreader confirmed: "Welcome to viewers on BBC One. We have had news from Buckingham Palace that the Queen is under medical supervision at Balmoral."
Read more: Queen’s doctors are concerned for her health says Buckingham Palace - updates
She then detailed concern for the monarch's health, and the news remained on air instead of returning to usual programming. The palace had released a statement at the time, confirming the news that was shared on the BBC. Buckingham Palace issued a rare statement on the Queen's health today to say that she remains comfortable and is staying at Balmoral, and is not in hospital. Her family members are travelling to Balmoral to be with her.
Around an hour into the programme, Huw Edwards took over presenting duties as one of the most senior newsreaders in the organisation. While the BBC scrapped programming, other channels including ITV and Channel 4 remained with regular schedules. The BBC kept up news coverage on the situation, while ITV did cover the announcement during their lunchtime news.
Speaking as part of the BBC special news program, Royal editor Nicholas Witchell explained why the announcement was so significant. He said: "I think this is clearly a very significant moment. For all of the reasons that we have been saying over the last hour or so.
"The fact that the palace, which doesn’t usually comment on the state of her health or the progression of her wellbeing. The fact that it is saying that the doctors are concerned, though they say she remains comfortable at Balmoral. The fact that immediate family members are gathering at Balmoral.
"Prince Charles who is of course staying at the Balmoral estate at Birkhall, he’s travelling over and has been regularly going to see his mother while he’s been staying there. The fact that I think says the most is the fact that Prince William is flying up to Balmoral from the south.
"So I think, all in all, this is a very sombre moment. I think as politicians are saying there is a profound concern. I think it was Nicola Sturgeon who used that phrase and I think that is absolutely right and other politicians echoing that sentiment. Hoping for the best but let's be completely candid now, braced for the worst. It may be that there will be a recovery but there has been a gradual deterioration in her health in recent months."
In a later update on the BBC's rolling news coverage, he described a "deep concern among members of the Royal Family. And he referred to rumours the Queen had suffered from cancers. He said: "I think we must assume that there are reasons for concern. There has been this gradual deterioration in the Queen's health.
"Over the past months, there has been no sharp and sudden deterioration. But I think clearly over the past 24 to 48 hours, the doctors have become rather more concerned. "It comes back to this issue that we were just discussing a moment ago as to whether it is merely this mobility issue, or whether there is and has been something else and you know, I think we can be candid, there have been rumours of cancers but no, of course, confirmation and one wouldn't expect that to be because there is an insistence by members of the royal family which is reflected by royal officials, that these matters are private. It doesn't matter who you are, you are still entitled to private patient confidentiality."
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