After a brief hiatus due to a chest infection, Queen Camilla, 77, resumed her public engagements this week, with adjustments made to her schedule to ensure a steady recovery. Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Queen would begin her duties with a reduced schedule, following medical advice to avoid any risk of relapse. The Queen's return to public life will see her attending key royal events alongside her husband, King Charles III, though she will forgo certain appearances as part of her recovery.
Queen Camilla, who had previously canceled engagements, missed this past weekend's Remembrance Sunday events on the advice of her medical team. "Following doctors' guidance to ensure a full recovery from a seasonal chest infection, and to protect others from any potential risk, Her Majesty will not attend this weekend's Remembrance events," Buckingham Palace announced in a statement. The Queen reportedly found this "a source of great disappointment," yet expressed her intention to honor the occasion privately at home.
On Tuesday, Camilla hosted a reception at Clarence House, the former residence of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, to celebrate authors shortlisted for this year's Booker Prize. The event marked her first public appearance since her illness, though she met with guests for a shorter period than initially planned. The Queen mingled with attendees in what was described as a subdued yet warm gathering, reflecting her cautious approach to public re-engagement.
As part of her gradual return to duties, Queen Camilla joined King Charles for a celebration of the television and film industry at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. The star-studded event brought together prominent figures in film and television, underscoring the royal family's ongoing engagement with British culture and media. The Queen, however, will skip the premiere of Gladiator II, the highly anticipated sequel directed by Ridley Scott, due to concerns over potential health setbacks from prolonged public interaction.
The Queen's health issue emerged shortly after a tour with King Charles in Australia and Samoa, with a brief stop in India on their return to the UK. Buckingham Palace previously announced her illness, sharing that "Her Majesty The Queen is currently unwell with a chest infection, for which her doctors have advised a short period of rest." The Queen regretted the cancellation of engagements, the palace noted, but prioritized recovery.
Medical experts emphasized that Camilla's limited schedule is a preventive measure rather than a response to any immediate health threat. Older individuals, especially those who have faced previous respiratory issues, are more susceptible to infections and advised to take cautious approaches to their recovery. Camilla's health history includes a prior bout of Covid-19 in February 2023, marking her second known infection with the virus since an earlier case in 2022.
The royal family has faced a challenging year with several health crises among its members. In February, King Charles was diagnosed with cancer, which necessitated a temporary pause in his treatment during his overseas trip. The King has since resumed treatment upon his return to the UK. Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, has been recovering from her own battle with cancer, having recently completed chemotherapy. This past weekend, she made her first major public appearance since her treatment, joining Prince William and other family members at a Remembrance concert at the Royal Albert Hall, as well as Remembrance Sunday events.
Despite her absence from the Gladiator II premiere, Camilla's scaled-back appearances have enabled her to participate in high-profile gatherings without overextending herself. King Charles remains committed to his full schedule, including the premiere, while the Queen focuses on re-establishing her public presence in a manageable capacity. According to palace sources, this stepwise approach is expected to support Camilla's return to a full slate of engagements in due time.
