Liesel and Caro De Leeuw were standing outside Buckingham Palace’s gilded gates for the first time when their grandmother called from Belgium.
“If you’re seeing anything weird in London, it’s because we think the Queen might be dying,” Caro recalled her grandmother saying. After being told of the Queen’s ill health, Caro said she felt emotional.
“She’s a great example for women and for feminists, who showed people that women can have power as well,” Caro said.
Her younger sister Liesel added: “She’s really strong, I think she can come through it.”
The sisters were two of many visitors gathered outside Buckingham Palace on Thursday, both sad and resigned as their visit to the monarch’s residence was suddenly upended by reports of the 96-year-old being placed under medical supervision, and family members travelling to be with the Queen at Balmoral Castle.
The first sign something was amiss came from the House of Commons, where business was interrupted to hear news of the Queen’s health. MPs repeatedly expressed concern for the monarch and sent good wishes, and BBC One interrupted its programming to share the news.
This is the latest of several concerns over the head of state’s health in recent weeks. On Wednesday, the Queen cancelled a planned virtual privy council meeting, taking doctor’s advice to rest. In early September, the Queen did not attend the Braemar Gathering in Scotland as planned, and during the jubilee celebrations in June she missed both the thanksgiving service and the Epsom Derby.
Interruptions continued throughout Thursday afternoon, as news of the Queen’s illness spread to other Buckingham Palace visitors. Neil Bird and his wife were visiting from Northampton when a phone news alert notified them of the Queen’s ill health.
“It is sad, it’s going to be weird, very weird. I mean, it’s expected at our age,” Bird said, careful with his words.
“It’s inevitable. Nobody gets out of this life alive, unfortunately. And she’s had a wonderful life,” he added. “My grandad was 94, my mom was 92. So she’s outlived both of those. It’s like she is our nan, and a part of our family.”
Bird, 54, said that while he did not consider himself a royalist, people needed to have roots and feel part of something. When asked what the Queen symbolised, he replied: “Well, the backbone of the country, really. I mean politicians come and go.”
As health concerns grow for the country’s longest-serving monarch, a new government is trying to gain control at a politically fragile time. Liz Truss – having only become prime minister two days ago after visiting the Queen at her Scottish residence – faces a cost of living crisis and growing concerns over soaring energy bills.
“It’s overwhelming,” said Claudio Baruffaldi, 29, noting the changes within government in recent days. “To have everything at the same time, it is a bit overwhelming.
“Obviously for them, it is more personal; for us it’s someone that we know as more of a figure. It’s another thing to think about,” he said.
Massimiliano Garzearea, visiting from Italy, said it was worrying. “The Queen is such an important symbol of the United Kingdom,” he said. “She’s always been there, you know?”
