Queen's late-night TV habit has left her 'knackered' royal aides say

Queen's late-night TV habit has left her 'knackered' royal aides say
Queen's late-night TV habit has left her 'knackered' royal aides say

The Queen's late-night TV viewing and busy schedule of public engagements since lockdown restrictions were lifted have left her 'knackered', sources have claimed.

Since returning from Balmoral this month, Her Majesty, 95, has undertaken 19 pubic engagements, including marking the Royal British Legion's centenary at Westminster Abbey and opening the Scottish and Welsh parliaments.

The monarch has also continued to enjoy her late-night television pastime, particularly at the weekends, and reportedly stayed up to watch 18-year-old tennis star Emma Raducanu win the US Open. 

It is understood the royal also stayed up to watch Prince William's Earthshot awards ceremony on the BBC after she was heard telling US climate envoy John Kerry that she had spotted him on Sunday night's broadcast, The Times reports.

And earlier this year it was also reported that the Queen was a fan of the hit BBC drama Line of Duty and would often speak with aides about the show's never ending twists and turns. 

According to the Sunday Times, the 95-year-old monarch was 'very into' the hit police drama and was said to have 'enjoyed' chatting about the show's intricate plot line with one of her closest aides Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt - the man in charge of the mission to protect the Queen and Prince Philip at the beginning of the pandemic. 

But while the Queen is said to be intent on getting 'back to business' after isolating at Windsor, a royal source told The Times: 'She is knackered.' 

The Queen's has undertaken 19 pubic engagements, including marking the Royal British Legion's centenary at Westminster Abbey, since restrictions were eased

The Queen's has undertaken 19 pubic engagements, including marking the Royal British Legion's centenary at Westminster Abbey, since restrictions were eased

The monarch has also continued to enjoy her late-night television pastime, particularly at the weekends. Pictured: The Queen watching the TV at Sandringham with Prince Edward and Prince Andrew in 1969

The monarch has also continued to enjoy her late-night television pastime, particularly at the weekends. Pictured: The Queen watching the TV at Sandringham with Prince Edward and Prince Andrew in 1969

It comes as senior aides at Buckingham Palace scramble to devise a strategy for managing the Queen's workload after being accused of misleading the public over her health.

Alongside her public engagements, the monarch has maintained 'a constant flow of lunches and dinners with family and friends' and still rides regularly.

This week she welcomed US climate envoy John Kerry and Microsoft founder Bill Gates at Windsor Castle for a lavish reception following a Government investment summit on Tuesday.

She is also expected to attend the forthcoming Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow next month.  

A source told The Times: 'She is fine, but she needs the rest — she is saving her energy for Cop [Cop26].'

But senior aides are now planning to cut the monarch's punishing schedule after she spent the night at King Edward VII's Hospital in London after cancelling an official trip to Northern Ireland to mark the 100th anniversary of the partition of the island.            

Sir Edward Young, the Queen's private secretary, has faced calls to 'be ruthless' and purge the Monarch's diary of functions not central to her role as head of state.

Officials are understood to be drawing up a 'core' list of key events that the Queen will prioritise in the next 12 months, including the Platinum Jubilee to celebrate her 70-year reign in June.

It comes amid reports the Queen will be accompanied by one of her children or grandchildren when she appears in public in the future to avoid having to cancel and let down the public in the event of future health scares.

This week the monarch welcomed US climate envoy John Kerry and Microsoft founder Bill Gates at Windsor Castle

This week the monarch welcomed US climate envoy John Kerry and Microsoft founder Bill Gates at Windsor Castle

Senior aides at Buckingham Palace are scrambling to devise a strategy for managing the Queen’s workload after being accused of misleading the public over her health

Senior aides at Buckingham Palace are scrambling to devise a strategy for managing the Queen's workload after being accused of misleading the public over her health

Another member of the Royal Family will be on hand to step in should she need company or assistance, the Sunday Telegraph reported. 

The Queen's attendance at the UN climate change summit in Glasgow on November 1 remains in the diary, but a final decision will not be made until later.

Meanwhile, the Palace's communications team is under pressure to be more candid should the 95-year-old Monarch require further visits to hospital. 

The Queen's courtiers faced extensive criticism last week for failing to inform the public that she had been admitted to King Edward VII's Hospital in London on Wednesday and stayed there overnight for tests. 

The media was told that she was resting at Windsor Castle and aides revealed the hospital stay only on Thursday night after news leaked out.

The controversy has shone a spotlight on the growing challenge faced by the Palace in balancing the Queen's desire to be an active head of state with needing to protect her health. 

Royal sources say the easing of Covid restrictions has resulted in a logjam of public events, adding pressure on the Queen's diary. 

According to Buckingham Palace's Court Circular, she has held 13 separate audiences or meetings, attended seven major events and travelled almost 900 miles since leaving Balmoral on October 1.

In addition, every day she still reads Government papers, delivered to her in red boxes, and has a long list of private meetings.

'They have to find some kind of balance,' said Sally Bedell Smith, who has written a bestselling biography of the Queen.

It is understood the trip to the private King Edward VII's Hospital in London (pictured) on Wednesday afternoon was expected to be for a short stay for some 'preliminary investigations'

It is understood the trip to the private King Edward VII's Hospital in London (pictured) on Wednesday afternoon was expected to be for a short stay for some 'preliminary investigations' 

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