The Queen spent the night in hospital after cancelling her royal duties on the advice of doctors.

Her Majesty cancelled her trip to Northern Ireland earlier this week and returned to Windsor Castel at lunchtime on Thursday following “preliminary investigations”.

Buckingham Palace said the 95-year-old remains in “good spirits”.

Buckingham Palace issue statement after Queen spends the night in hospital

In a statement, Buckingham Place said: “Following medical advice to rest for a few days, the Queen attended hospital on Wednesday afternoon for some preliminary investigations, returning to Windsor Castle at lunchtime today, and remains in good spirits.”

It is understood the trip to hospital on Wednesday afternoon was expected to be for a short stay for some preliminary investigations, so was not announced by the Palace at the time, as well as in order to protect the Queen’s medical privacy.

The overnight stay was said to be for practical reasons.

The Queen’s medical team are understood to have been taking a cautious approach.

The Queen was said to be back at her desk this afternoon, undertaking light duties.

The 95-year-old monarch was said to be disappointed not to be able to travel to Northern Ireland on Wednesday, and reluctantly heeded the advice of her royal physicians.

She has had a busy schedule since returning from Balmoral at the start of October, and hosted a major Global Investment summit at Windsor Castle on Tuesday evening, where she looked bright and cheerful as she carried out her royal duties.