Queen Was 'Happy & Well' at Last Appearance Though Color of Her Hands Left Fans Worried about Her Health

Queen Elizabeth II's latest public appearance with the newly appointed Prime Minister sparked concern among royal fans and her doctors. While the monarch seemed jolly, her blue hands left a sense of worry.

Buckingham Palace revealed that Queen Elizabeth II passed away at age 96 on September 8, 2022, at Balmoral, Scotland. The monarch's health condition continued to make headlines in the days leading up to her death and had doctors "concerned."

The Express reported on September 8, 2022, that Buckingham Palace released a statement about Her Majesty's worrying condition.

The royal was said to have remained under medical supervision as her family rushed to her side. Per the publication, immediate relatives, including her son then Prince Charles, his wife Camilla, Prince Harry, Princess Anne, and Prince Andrew, and his wife, Sophia, the Countess of Wessex, traveled to the Queen's Balmoral residence to see her.

According to a statement by Buckingham Palace, doctors evaluated the sovereign early in the day and became worried about her state of health:

"The Queen's doctors are concerned for Her Majesty's health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision. The Queen remains comfortable at Balmoral."

Reuters later reported that a Clarence House spokesperson revealed the then Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla traveled to the Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

Kensington Palace followed suit, disclosing Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, was also on his way to the estate. The said visits included him, his brother Prince Harry, but not his sister-in-law, Meghan Markle.

The Queen's Last Public Appearance Raised Many Eyebrows

The monarch made her last public appearance on September 6, 2022, when she met with the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, at Balmoral. Per the Express, the Queen usually meets new appointees at Windsor Castle.

However, she opted for Balmoral because that was where she was spending her annual holiday. The monarch and Truss were pictured shaking hands during the meeting at Balmoral's Drawing Room.

While waiting to meet her, the royal was photographed using a cane. This comes after the Royal Family revealed that Her Majesty was experiencing an "episodic mobility issue."

Upon seeing the Queen being pictured with Truss, GB News presenter, Dan Wotton, took to Twitter and expressed "relief" after witnessing the monarch in high spirits, writing:

"What a relief to see the 96-year-old Queen, who is battling health problems, looking happy and well as Liz Truss officially becomes Britain's new Prime Minister."

Though another user, broadcaster, Dominique Samuels, noticed that the monarch "lost a lot of weight." Wotton replied by saying the Queen's health was indeed worrisome.

Royals fans were just as anxious about the monarch's bruised hands that overshadowed the appointment with the new British PM. One Twitter user asked about her blue and purple hands.

The photos sparked more concern with other online users, with one person suggesting that she might have suffered an injury. Another purported that she may have bruises that one gets from treatment.

That said, according to Express, blue hands can be an indicator of severe arterial health conditions. The outlet further stated the disease is typically caused by low oxygen levels in red blood cells.

The Monarch's Health Issues Have Been Ongoing

The monarch first sparked health concerns in October 2021 when she spent the night at the hospital for the first time since 2013. In February 2022, she tested positive for COVID-19.

Amid the ongoing health issues, the Queen missed several events, which included a two-day trip to Northern Ireland after being diagnosed with coronavirus.

Doctors advised her to stay put and rest. The advice came days after Her Majesty was spotted walking with a stick for the first time in two decades.

In May 2022, the royal matriarch was forced to not attend the opening of the UK Parliament for the first time in nearly sixty years because of her ill health and old age. That same month, she made a rare public appearance when she attended the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Her Majesty Missed Royal Engagements in Recent Years

There were many times when the Queen's sons stood in for her at events in recent years. Per the Royal website, in November 2021, Prince Edward attended the General Synod on his mother's behalf and read her message during the national assembly of the Church of England.

In the note, the monarch said it was surreal that it had been over five decades since she and her husband, Prince Philip, attended their first meeting of the General Synod:

"None of us can slow the passage of time, and while we often focus on all that has changed in the intervening years, much remains unchanged, including the Gospel of Christ and his teachings."

During that same period, the monarch had to miss Remembrance Sunday church service while recovering from a sprained back, per Elle.

With the continued health battle, per Express, many experts claimed the Royal Family had already implemented measures to begin the transition process from Her Majesty to then Prince Charles.

In December 2021, the publication reported that royal historian Dr. Ed Owens claimed that a "transition of power" to the next ruler of England was underway. He predicted there would not be chaos as the Firm would ensure everything was in order when the Queen died.

"The Royal Family won't be thrown into a crisis when the Queen dies. The symbolic transition of power to Charles is already underway," he said.

Dr. Owens explained that the then Prince of Wales has played a prominent role in public and has often stood in for his now-late mother at official royal and public engagements, which was a preparation process. The prince has overseen the monarchy's daily operations in recent years.