Queen

Queen's Greatest Hits sells seven million copies, breaking UK chart record

Their first Greatest Hits collection, from 1981, is now owned by one in every four households in the UK, said the Official Charts Company.

The record, which features classic singles like We Will Rock You and Bohemian Rhapsody, has been a perennial best-seller for years.

It recently spent its 1,000th week on the UK album chart.

Queen guitarist Brian May called the latest achievement "joyous news".

"No album has done this before in history," he said in a statement. "Thank you, we appreciate it."

Queen hands over to Charles for State Opening of Parliament

This will be the first time since 1963 that the Queen will have missed this constitutional ceremony, which sets out the government's legislative plans.

Prince Charles will deliver the speech on Tuesday for the Queen.

The 96-year-old monarch has mobility problems and has had to cancel a number of recent public appearances.

Until Monday evening Buckingham Palace had been saying the Queen hoped to attend, but has now confirmed she will not go the ceremony in Westminster, because of "episodic mobility problems".

Queen attends memorial service for Prince Philip

Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who was by his wife's side for more than seven decades, passed away at their Windsor Castle home in April, two months shy of his 100th birthday.

Only 30 mourners were able to attend his funeral service then due to strict coronavirus rules, which meant the queen poignantly sat alone as her husband of 73 years was lowered into the Royal Vault of St George's Chapel of the castle.

The Queen tests positive for Covid

The monarch is experiencing "mild cold-like symptoms" but expects to continue "light duties" at Windsor over the coming week, the palace said.

"She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines," it added in a statement.

Her eldest son and heir, the Prince of Wales, tested positive on 10 February, after meeting his mother on 8 February.

It is understood a number of people have tested positive at Windsor Castle, where the Queen resides.

Act now for our children, Queen urges climate summit

In a video message, she said many people hoped the "time for words has now moved to the time for action".

She urged them to act "for our children and our children's children" and "rise above the politics of the moment".

The Queen added she took "great pride" in how her "dear late husband" Prince Philip promoted environmental issues.

The 95-year-old monarch had been scheduled to attend the United Nations conference in Glasgow. But she pre-recorded her address last week at Windsor Castle after being advised to rest following medical checks.

Queen will not attend COP26 climate change summit on advice to rest

The 95-year-old monarch underwent preliminary medical checks in hospital last Wednesday after cancelling a visit to Northern Ireland.

She resumed public engagements on Tuesday, by meeting ambassadors via video link from Windsor Castle.

Buckingham Palace said she "regretfully" decided not to attend a reception at the summit.

In images released on Tuesday, the Queen was seen smiling on camera as she greeted the South Korean and Swiss ambassadors, who were speaking to her from Buckingham Palace.

William 'proud' of Queen and Philip for having coronavirus jab

In a video call with frontline workers, Prince William offered his congratulations and described the programme as "tremendous" saying it didn't "just happen".

Staff joked they had been "thinking and dreaming" of vaccines all day and night with some describing working seven-day weeks.

The duke also praised his grandparents, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, for stepping up and getting the vaccine.

     

Queen and Prince Philip receive vaccinations

A royal source said the vaccinations were administered on Saturday by a household doctor at Windsor Castle.

The source added the Queen decided to let it be known she had the vaccination to prevent further speculation.

The Queen, 94, and Prince Philip, 99, are among around 1.5 million people in the UK to have had at least one dose of a Covid vaccine so far.

People aged over 80 in the UK are among the high-priority groups who are being given the vaccine first.

'We need Easter as much as ever,' says the Queen

While celebrations would be different for many this year, she said: "We need Easter as much as ever."

Referencing the tradition of lighting candles to mark the occasion, she said: "As dark as death can be - particularly for those suffering with grief - light and life are greater."

It comes as the number of coronavirus deaths in UK hospitals reached 9,875.

Speaking from Windsor Castle, the Queen said many religions had festivals celebrating light overcoming darkness, which often featured the lighting of candles.

Queen agrees 'transition' to new role for Harry and Meghan

She said she was "entirely supportive" of their desire for a new role but "would have preferred" them to remain full-time working royals.

She expected final decisions to be made in the coming days, she said.

Senior royals have been in talks about Prince Harry and Meghan's role after they said they wanted to "step back".

In a statement, the Queen said the talks at Sandringham, which also involved the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge, had been "very constructive".