Queen mother admitted to hospital

The Queen Mother was being admitted to hospital suffering from anaemia, Clarence House announced.

She was taken by car to the King Edward VII Hospital in central London for treatment. She entered the hospital on foot and was reported as looking in good health. The length of her stay at the private hospital would depend on the doctors' assessment of her condition, said a Royal aide.

Yesterday a statement was issued from Clarence House, the Queen Mother's London residence, that she had succumbed to the current heatwave and was suffering from "mild heat exhaustion". Doctors advised her to rest and there was speculation that she would undertake medical tests.

She pulled out of an official engagement today and the Queen is now taking her place, laying the foundation stone of Memorial Gates to colonial war dead at Constitution Hill, near Buckingham Palace.

News of the Queen Mother's possible hospital visit broke on Sky TV when roads near the King Edward VII Hospital for Officers in central London were cordoned off.

A group of policeman stood guarding the front entrance and a number of photographers began gathering behind the barriers.

The Queen Mother was hoping to celebrate her 101st birthday on Saturday at Clarence House as usual, said a Royal spokesman.