Britain's Queen Mother Suffers From Heat Exhaustion

Warm weather has knocked Britain's Queen Mother Elizabeth out of action for a few days, but forecasters said Tuesday that temperatures should moderate this weekend in time for her 101st birthday.

The hugely popular mother of Queen Elizabeth II withdrew from a public engagement scheduled for Wednesday and doctors said she was suffering from mild heat exhaustion. They will wait to see whether she recovers sufficiently to take part in birthday celebrations this weekend.

For the past week, temperatures have been above 86 degrees ¡ª a heat wave by British standards.

Earlier, a statement from Clarence House said: "Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, is suffering from mild heat exhaustion and has been advised to rest."

The statement said the queen will fill her mother's role at an event Wednesday in London remembering the colonial war dead of World War I and II.

The Queen Mother, widow of King George VI, has remained active despite her age and a series of minor health problems. On Saturday, she attended the Ascot horse races and she was a guest at a flower show with her grandson Prince Charles last week.

Last November, the Queen Mother broke her collar bone during a fall at her home. She also had two hip replacements when she was in her 90s.

On her birthday, she traditionally comes out to meet well-wishers who gather outside the house.












People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/