In a rare display of vulnerability, the 86-year-old Queen Elizabeth II is admitted in the hospital on Friday after battling symptoms of gastroenteritis.

A representative from the Buckingham Palace said the monarch was taken to the King Edward VII Hospital in London via a private vehicle. Despite of the circumstance, Queen Elizabeth is said to be "in good spirits" on the way to the hospital.

"This is a precautionary measure," a spokesperson for the Queen told BBC. "She was not taken into hospital immediately after feeling the symptoms. This is simply to enable doctors to better assess her."

Well-wishers immediately gathered outside the hospital in support of the long-standing royal.

Gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu, is an infection that includes symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. It is not a serious affliction, although the Queen is expected to take a few days to recover.

The palace has already announced the cancellation of all official engagements for the week, including a two-day visit to Italy on Wednesday. When she was admitted in the hospital on Friday, she missed a military parade in Wales as a result.

Reports to BBC and CNN say the Queen "hates to make a fuss" such as this one. In her sixty years of service on the throne, Queen Elizabeth II has only called in sick a handful of times. Back pain has been a minor problem a few times over the last decade the royal's last hospitalization was ten years ago for a knee operation. According to sources, the knee injury that subjected the Queen to weeks of rest was due to age and possible stress.

Considering her advancing age, it is certainly impressive that the royal has remained healthy and active.