Queen Elizabeth II, now 86, has held her throne since the age of 25. Pictured, Elizabeth arrives at a garden reception at Government House in Auckland, New Zealand, in February 2002.
(CNN) -- Britain's Queen Elizabeth II was hospitalized Sunday after experiencing symptoms of gastroenteritis that had already sidelined her weekend plans, Buckingham Palace announced.
The 86-year-old monarch was taken to King Edward VII's Hospital in London "as a precautionary measure" and is expected to stay for two days, said a palace spokesman, speaking with customary anonymity.
"She is otherwise in good spirits and good health," the spokesman said.
Five things to know about gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines. Though commonly known as "stomach flu," it is not caused by the influenza virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Queen Elizabeth II hospitalized
Mark Saunders discusses Queen's illness
Elizabeth already had canceled a planned trip to Wales on Saturday after exhibiting symptoms of the illness, Buckingham Palace said. All official engagements this week will be postponed or canceled.
At 10 Downing Street, Prime Minister David Cameron's office said, "We wish the Queen well and wish her a speedy recovery."
Queen's illness: Concern behind the castle walls
Gastroenteritis is usually caused by a virus and passed person to person, said Dr. Corey Siegel, a gastroenterologist and professor at Dartmouth College's Geisel School of Medicine. But it can also be caused by bacteria, either foodborne or personally transmitted, he said.
The bug usually has to run its course. But doctors often give hospitalized elderly patients intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration, which can lead to kidney problems, Siegel said.
Elizabeth celebrated her 60th anniversary on the throne in 2012 and turns 87 in April. She was last hospitalized in 2003 for knee surgery.
Her husband, the 92-year-old Prince Philip, was hospitalized three times between December 2011 and August 2012 -- once for treatment of a blocked coronary artery and twice for a bladder infection.
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CNN's Richard Quest, Elizabeth Cohen, Per Nyberg and Max Foster contributed to this report.
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Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, right, poses for a photo with her younger sister, Princess Margaret, in 1933.
Queen Elizabeth II arrives at King's Cross railway station in London with her four Corgis in October 1969 after vacationing at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, waves to the crowd on June 2, 1953, after being crowned at Westminster Abbey in London. Her coronation was the first worldwide televised event.
Elizabeth and Philip sit in the grass with their two children, Charles, Prince of Wales, and Princess Anne, circa 1951. They later had two more children, Edward, Earl of Wessex, and Andrew, Duke of York.
Prince Richard of Gloucester, from left, the Duchess of Gloucester, the Queen Mother, Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, Queen Elizabeth II, her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, Princess Alexandra, Lord Snowdon and his wife, Princess Margaret, Elizabeth's younger sister, pose for a family picture in April 1972 in London during a visit to Britain by the Netherlands' royal family.
Visiting Canada in 1997, Elizabeth smiles as she leaves the Alexander Graham Bell Homestead in Brantford, Ontario.
Elizabeth leaves St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle after the wedding of Sophie Rhys-Jones and her son Prince Edward in June 1999.
Elizabeth inspects the Canadian Guard of Honour in July 1992 before taking part in Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa.
Elizabeth sits beside Philip as she gives a speech at the state opening of Parliament in the House of Lords in November 1999.
Elizabeth's coach travels through London in 2004.
Elizabeth greets veterans at the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, a Sikh Temple in London, in October 2004.
Elizabeth is offered a rose by a well-wisher while visiting the Princess Diana memorial fountain in London's Hyde Park in July 2004.
Elizabeth poses in Dresden during a state visit to Germany in November 2004.
Elizabeth attends a state banquet at the Philharmonic Hall in Bratislava, Slovakia, in October 2008.
Elizabeth meets actors Sanjeev Bhaskar, second left, and Meera Syal, left, after watching a performance by Nutkhut, a London-based dance company, at Buckingham Palace in October 2009.
Elizabeth gives a speech during a state banquet for the visit of Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil at Windsor Castle in October 2009.
Elizabeth receives flowers from a Girl Guide after attending the Christmas Day church service at St Mary's Church in Sandringham, England, in 2010.
Elizabeth visits St. George's School in Windsor, England, in May 2011.
Elizabeth looks at a horse at the Windsor Horse Show in Windsor, England, in May 2011.
U.S. President Barack Obama toasts with Elizabeth during a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in May 2011.
Queen Elizabeth, from left, Prince William, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, look up from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the service of thanksgiving at St. Paul's Cathedral in June 2012.
Elizabeth leaves No. 10 Downing Street in London in July 2012.
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