Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has taken the unusual step of cancelling a state visit scheduled for next month amid reports of concern over the health of her 87-year-old husband, Prince Philip, it was reported Friday.
However, Buckingham Palace, while confirming a cancellation, insisted that the trip, to an undisclosed destination, had not been called off for health reasons, but due to "other commitments."
Earlier this week Prince Philip missed his third engagement in eight days after hurting his back while carriage driving, the palace said earlier, dpa reported.
He suffered from a prolonged chest infection in early 2008.
The queen, 82, last pulled out of a tour following the 9/11 terror attacks in the US and during the Iraq conflict in 2003.
The monarch was Friday due to mark the anniversary of her accession to the throne on February 6, 1952, privately at Sandringham Palace in Norfolk, eastern England, the palace said.
She began her 57-year reign after the death of her father, King George VI, from lung cancer.
At the time, the then Princess Elizabeth was at Sagana Hunting Lodge in the foothills of Mount Kenya with Prince Philip when the news of her father's death reached her.
The anniversary is due to be marked with ceremonial royal gun salutes in London and around the country Friday.