Whole country "deeply concerned" over Queen Elizabeth's health

Truss said the whole country would be "deeply concerned" about Queen Elizabeth's health after doctors said the 96-year-old should remain under medical supervision.

"The whole country will be deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime," she said.

"My thoughts - and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom - are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time."

Britain's parliament has Queen Elizabeth in its thoughts and prayers following news that doctors were concerned for her health, speaker Lindsay Hoyle said on Thursday.

"I know I speak on behalf of the entire House when I say we send all the best wishes to her Majesty the Queen," Hoyle said after interrupting a debate.

Keir Starmer, the leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, said on Thursday he was concerned about news from Buckingham Palace that Queen Elizabeth's health had declined.

"Along with the rest of the country, I am deeply worried by the news from Buckingham Palace this afternoon," he said in a statement released on Twitter.

"My thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time, and I join everyone across the United Kingdom in hoping for her recovery," he added.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Thursday joined other British political leaders in expressing support for Queen Elizabeth after doctors said they were "concerned" for her health.

"All of us are feeling profoundly concerned at reports of Her Majesty’s health. My thoughts and wishes are with the Queen and all of the Royal Family at this time," Sturgeon wrote on Twitter.

The Archbishop of Canterbury joined political and religious leaders in expressing support for Queen Elizabeth amid concerns for the monarch's health.

"My prayers, and the prayers of people across the @churchofengland and the nation, are with Her Majesty The Queen today," Archbishop Justin Welby wrote on Twitter.

"May God’s presence strengthen and comfort Her Majesty, her family, and those who are caring for her at Balmoral."

As well as monarch, Queen Elizabeth serves as Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

Family members rushed to be by the side of the 96-year-old monarch after the doctors' announcement, which said she should remain under medical supervision.

The queen, Britain's longest-reigning sovereign and the world's oldest monarch, has been suffering from what Buckingham Palace has called "episodic mobility problems" since the end of last year.