Queen Camilla Cancels Official Duties Due to Chest Infection

The queen's withdrawal comes after a challenging year for the royal family, impacting her public appearances and responsibilities.

Queen Camilla, 77, has announced her withdrawal from two scheduled royal engagements this week following a diagnosis of a chest infection, according to an official statement from Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. This announcement comes shortly after the royal couple's recent travels in Australia and Samoa.

The queen was expected to attend events on Thursday, including a significant occasion at Westminster Abbey. In a statement, Buckingham Palace indicated that her doctors have advised her to take a short break to recuperate. "With great regret, Her Majesty has therefore had to withdraw from her engagements for this week," the palace noted. They expressed hope for her quick recovery so she can participate in the Remembrance Day ceremonies honoring fallen service members later this weekend. Currently, she is recuperating at her home under medical supervision.

This year has been particularly challenging for the royal family, marked by several health concerns. Both King Charles and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, have been undergoing treatment for cancer. King Charles made a public return to his duties in April, just a few months after announcing his diagnosis, while Princess Catherine confirmed her illness in March but has since resumed limited public appearances.

The simultaneous health issues of these prominent royal figures have drawn attention to Queen Camilla, who has taken on additional duties to cover for them during their treatment. Their recent royal tour included engagements in Samoa, where adverse weather conditions led to disruptions. Meanwhile, King Charles continued his scheduled duties on Tuesday, meeting with Qatar's new ambassador to Britain, as noted in a separate palace statement.

As the nation watches closely, the royal family remains under scrutiny, with hopes that Queen Camilla will recover quickly and return to her important public role.