Queen Elizabeth, 90 and husband Philip, 95, suffering heavy colds; delay travel

Elizabeth, the world's longest-reigning living monarch, and Philip had been due to catch a train from London to their Sandringham country residence in Norfolk, eastern England, where they traditionally spend Christmas.

"The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh have heavy colds, and so have decided not to travel to Sandringham today," the royal office said in a short statement.

The couple, who have been married for 69 years, were well enough on Tuesday to host members of the royal family for a lunch at Buckingham Palace in London attended by heir to the throne, Charles, his son Prince William, and grandson Prince George, third in line to succeed the Queen.

After six decades on the throne, the Queen has cut back on international tours but still regularly performs official duties around Britain, although she said on Tuesday she would reduce the number of her patronages.

Although Elizabeth's father, George VI, died at the relatively young age of 56, her mother, who was known as Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, lived until 101 and was still appearing in public almost up until her death in 2002.