LONDON, (REUTERS) - Britain's Queen Elizabeth has been admitted to hospital with symptoms of gastroenteritis, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said on Sunday.

All the monarch's engagements for the coming week, including a trip to Rome, have been cancelled or postponed as a precaution, the spokesman said.

At 86, the queen is known for her robust health. She was last hospitalised in 2003 when she had a knee operation.

The spokesman said the queen was in hospital for precautionary assessments and may remain there for a couple of days. She celebrated her 60 years on the throne last year.