The Queen has been forced to pull out of a series of engagements in Wales this weekend after going down with a nasty case of gastroenteritis. The painful stomach condition is often caused by the norovirus flu bug which is currently sweeping the realm.

The Monarch had been due to present leeks - the vegetable is the national symbol of Wales - to members of the 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh as part of the St David’s Day.

Instead she will convalesce quietly at home at Windsor Castle.

Last year the Duke of Edinburgh was hospitalised twice with a bladder infection and he spent Christmas 2011 in hospital with a heart condition.

A spokesperson for the Palace said: “The Queen will no longer visit Swansea as she is experiencing symptoms of gastroenteritis. She will be assessed in the coming days. Her Majesty is currently spending the weekend at Windsor, as usual.”

The news comes after the her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, was  hospitalised twice with a bladder infection last year.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are due to fly out to Rome for a two-day visit next week.

A palace spokesman said the Queen's visit to Rome was still due to take place.