The Queen has pulled out of a royal engagement this afternoon after being struck down by an illness.

Her Maj, 93, was due to make her annual visit to the Sandringham branch of the Women’s Institute today.

She makes the visit to West Newton village hall every year as part of her winter stay at her Norfolk estate.

But today she reportedly pulled out with just 30 minutes’ notice because she “has a cold” and was "not feeling up to it".

A Buckingham Palace spokesman told the MailOnline the Queen “has a slight cold”, with an insider adding it was “no cause for alarm”.

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Around half-an-hour before her expected arrival, a member of her security team had assembled reporters and photographers who were waiting.

They then informed the media pack that the Queen would not be attending.

The Queen has attended the WI group's meetings since 1943 and took over as President from the Queen Mother, who in turn took over from Queen Mary.

Members welcome a different guest speaker each year, and enjoy tea and cakes.

This year's guest speaker, BBC News At Ten Presenter Huw Edwards, had already arrived at the venue before the news broke.

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He said at the time: “I’m no stranger to public speaking but I think this is a slightly exceptional event so I'm being brave and been thinking carefully about what I might want to say.

“I think a bit like the Prime Minister allegedly before Brexit, I've got several options, I've got several versions.

“I’m not quite decided yet on what the ultimate message will be but I'd like to talk a little bit about the business I'm in and the way it's changed over the years and what the challenges are now in terms of journalism and broadcasting.

“Maybe that sounds a bit serious but I'll try to do something along those lines.”

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The Queen rarely misses an engagement and is usually in good health, but in December 2016 a heavy cold saw her miss the traditional Christmas Day church service for the first time in nearly 30 years.

Today’s news comes just two weeks after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry broke the news they were quitting as senior members of the Royal Family.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will give up their HRH titles in Spring following a transition period, and will not longer receiving public funding.

Earlier this week Harry flew out to Vancouver, Canada to reunite with Meghan and their son Archie as they plan a new life in North America.

• BBC
• Meghan Markle
• Prince Harry
• Queen
• Brexit
• Christmas
• Royal Family

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