Queen Elizabeth had eye surgery for cataract in May, which explains why she's been wearing sunglasses – Buckingham Palace

Britain’s 92-year-old Queen Elizabeth II underwent eye surgery to remove a cataract in May, Buckingham Palace said today.

“I can confirm that the queen successfully underwent a short, planned procedure to treat a cataract last month,” a palace spokesman said.

In recent weeks the British monarch has been seen wearing sunglasses at a number of events, including the Royal Windsor Horse Show and Buckingham Palace garden parties.

Cataract surgery typically takes just 30 to 45 minutes under local anesthetic, but it can take an individual four to six weeks to fully recover. Although she turned 92 in April, the queen traditionally holds an official birthday on the second Saturday of June to enjoy more favourable weather. Her husband Prince Philip will then celebrate his 97th birthday on Sunday. The palace announced he had undergone successful hip surgery in April after retiring from public life last summer, having attended more than 22,000 engagements and delivered nearly 5,500 speeches over the years.