Prince William was photographed driving senior members of the royal family to Queen Elizabeth II's Scottish home amid growing concerns for the 96-year-old monarch's health.
William arrived at Aberdeen Airport in a private plane also carrying Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, at 4 p.m. U.K. time following an announcement made at lunchtime from Buckingham Palace revealing that the monarch had been placed under "medical supervision."
"Following further evaluation this morning, The Queen's doctors are concerned for Her Majesty's health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision," it read.
"The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral."
After getting off the plane at Aberdeen the royals got into a waiting Range Rover where William drove them the 40-mile route to Balmoral, the queen's summer residence.
Prince Harry is reported to be en route to Scotland while Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle have remained in England.
Following the announcement from Buckingham Palace, it was confirmed by Clarence House that Prince Charles alongside his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, had traveled to Balmoral to be with the queen. They were also joined by Princess Anne who had been undertaking engagements in Scotland.
William's journey to see his grandmother comes as his three children, Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 7, and Prince Louis, 4, had their first days at Lambrook school near Windsor Castle on Thursday.
The Cambridge family was photographed visiting the school on Wednesday.
The queen has been at Balmoral, her Scottish home since late July where she was staying at a smaller property on the estate before taking up residence in the castle on August 9.
The traditional welcome ceremony which marks the monarch's official residence was scaled back, taking place behind closed gates out of the public eye. British newspaper The Times reported that this was done as part of an adaptation of the queen's public appearances made for her comfort.
The latest of her public appearances took place on Tuesday where she accepted in person the resignation of outgoing Conservative leader Boris Johnson and subsequently appointed his successor Liz Truss as her 15th prime minister.
Truss herself sent a message of good wishes to the monarch after the announcement of her condition came from Buckingham Palace on Thursday, posting on Twitter:
"The whole country will be deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime.
"My thoughts - and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom - are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time."
House of Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, halted ministerial proceedings at which Truss had previously been present, to also issue a statement.
"I wish to say something about the announcement that has just been made about her majesty," he said.
"I know I speak on behalf of the entire house when I say that we send our best wishes to her majesty the queen and that she and the royal family are in our thoughts and prayers at this moment."
About the writer
James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family ... Read more
