Queen Camilla Cancels Major Appearance as Palace Issues Health Update
Queen Camilla is changing her plans for the incoming Qatar state visit as she continues recovering from a chest infection.
The palace said on Dec. 2 that the Queen, 77, will no longer partake in the official kickoff of the Qatar state visit to the U.K. on Dec. 3. It’s understood that King Charles’ wife is continuing to experience lingering side effects from the chest infection that Buckingham Palace announced on Nov. 5 and has diminished reserves of energy.
In accordance with doctors’ advice, Queen Camilla has adjusted her itinerary for the state visit that starts tomorrow, welcoming the Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani.
She will no longer appear at the arrival ceremony at Horse Guards Parade (which Kate Middleton and Prince William are expected to attend) but will appear at the traditional Buckingham Palace lunch and viewing of objects after.
The first night of the two-day state visit will be capped with a glittering state banquet, where Queen Camilla will pose for photos with the Amir and Sheikha Jawaher, but retire during the traditional receiving line. The Queen will then attend the dinner and join the farewells on the final day of the stay.
It’s a pivot from the original plans for Queen Camilla, but it’s understood that there has been no change to her diagnosis or treatment following the early November announcement about her chest infection. State visits are synonymous with packed schedules, and the Queen is simply taking more time to recuperate.
Though the Queen isn’t expected to make any other tweaks to her calendar in light of the latest health announcement, it’s thought that she will take each day as it comes, in accordance with doctors’ advice. While post-viral fatigue symptoms can linger for weeks, Queen Camilla is due to appear at the Entente Littéraire Prize Ceremony with Birgitte Macron, the first lady of France, on Dec. 4.
Queen Camilla missed the royal family’s Remembrance events on Nov. 9 and 10 to prioritize her health following the initial announcement about her chest infection, and spoke about a persistent symptom when she returned to royal duties on Nov. 12.
“I’m obviously getting much better, bit of sort of coughing going on,” the Queen remarked in a video shared on X by Rebecca English of the Daily Mail at a reception for The Booker Prize Foundation.
“I really wanted to come,” Camilla said of the soiree, held at her Clarence House home in London.