Heath concerns surrounding the Queen have been played down by royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams following a decision by Buckingham Palace to cancel a planned visit by the Monarch to Northern Ireland. The Palace took the decision to cancel the trip on the behest of the Queen's doctors who advised the hard-working 95-year-old to rest amid a busy schedule of public and international engagements.

       Mr Fitzwilliams told BBC News: "In general, the queen is extraordinarily robust, and there's no doubt at all I mean on Tuesday she hosted a glittering reception of top business leaders, she's been receiving ambassadors by video link and also in person, and as we know as a symbol of national unity which is so important, she's opened the Scottish and Welsh Parliament's recently.

       "So she's been increasing her activities that's what she wants to do and with the pandemic having receded in recent months this is what of course she has been able to do.

       "Obviously, there is clearly some concern with anyone at an advanced age when they are advised that they ought to rest.

       "But the tone of the statement leads me to believe that it's simply a precautionary matter, and most hopefully methods will be resolved very very soon and we will be seeing the Queen."

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       Announcing the cancelled royal visit, Buckingham Palace said: "The Queen has reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days.

       "Her Majesty is in good spirits and is disappointed that she will no longer be able to visit Northern Ireland, where she had been due to undertake a series of engagements today and tomorrow.

       "The Queen sends her warmest good wishes to the people of Northern Ireland, and looks forward to visiting in the future."

       Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis tweeted: "Wishing Her Majesty The Queen all the very best as she takes a few days' rest. I look forward to meeting her in Northern Ireland in the future."

       DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson also tweeted his best wishes.

       "We thank Her Majesty for her good wishes to the people of Northern Ireland and trust that she will keep well and benefit from a period of rest," he posted.

       "It is always a joy to have Her Majesty in Royal Hillsborough and we look forward to a further visit in the near future."

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       Church leaders expressed sorrow after learning the Queen would not be attending.

       "We are very sorry to learn that it will not be possible for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to be present for the Service of Reflection and Hope in Armagh tomorrow," they said in a statement.

       "We wish to convey to Her Majesty our good wishes and, in doing so, to acknowledge the significance of her commitment to the work of peace and reconciliation, which has meant a great deal to people throughout this island.

       "We hope that tomorrow's service will provide an opportunity to further that work, with an emphasis on our shared hopes for the future."