The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, has offered his prayers for the Queen, who has been under medical supervision at Balmoral since this morning.
In a message posted on Twitter, Cardinal Nichols said he was “concerned to hear the news about Her Majesty the Queen’s health” and offered “my prayers for her and her family”.
Buckingham Palace issued a statement just after 12:30pm, announcing that “the Queen’s doctors are concerned for her health” following an evaluation of her condition. On Wednesday she had cancelled a virtual meeting of the Privy Council following medical advice.
Cardinal Nichols’ message continued: “May the Lord strengthen and comfort her and her family.”
The palace said the Queen was “comfortable”. Her children, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward have joined the Queen at Balmoral or are travelling there. The Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex were also reported to be travelling to the estate in west Aberdeenshire.
The Archbishop of Glasgow, William Nolan, described the news of the Queen’s condition as “worrying indeed”.
“I join my prayers to those of many across the country for the monarch who has been such a powerful example of Christian faith and consistency for so many years,” he said.
The Jesuits in Britain also issued a statement offering up prayers for the Queen and the royal family. “May God give them strength and comfort,” it said.
These prayers joined those of other religious leaders in the UK, including the Archbishop of Canterbury. “May God’s presence strengthen and comfort Her Majesty, her family, and those who are caring for her at Balmoral,” he wrote. He was joined in these prayers by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell and other Church of England clergy.
The Anglican Communion also issued a statement, noting the Queen’s particular significance for Anglicans worldwide. “The Queen is head of state of 17 countries,” it said, “and has been head of state of others during her life. She is also head of the Commonwealth. All of these areas are served by one or more of the 42 churches of the Anglican Communion.”
It continued: “We pray for God’s presence to strengthen and support the Queen, the Royal Family, and those who are caring for Her Majesty.”
The Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, said the Queen was “very much in my prayers today and I know that Jewish communities around the Commonwealth will join me in wishing her a full and swift recovery”.
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