Nosebleed causes Queen to miss 'first event in 5 years' Published duration 15 April 2011

image caption The Queen will turn 85 next week

A nosebleed caused the Queen to miss a public engagement for what is thought to be the first time in five years.

The Queen had been due to attend a service of the Royal Victorian Order at Windsor Castle with senior members of the Royal Family on Wednesday.

Buckingham Palace said the monarch, who turns 85 next week, later recovered and attended a reception in the state apartments afterwards.

The Queen has rarely taken time off due to illness during her 59-year reign.

In 2006, she cancelled engagements after straining a back muscle and her engagements were scaled down after knee surgery in 2003.