Two weeks after Queen Camilla came down with a “chest infection” following a tour of Australia and Samoa, she is canceling another event appearance due to the lingering effects of the illness. Buckingham Palace announced that the queen has pulled out of Friday night’s Royal Variety Performance because of a lingering chest infection, but King Charles III will attend without her.
“Following a recent chest infection, the queen continues to experience some lingering post-viral symptoms, as a result of which doctors have advised that, after a busy week of engagements, Her Majesty should prioritize sufficient rest,” a spokesperson told Vanity Fair. “With great regret, she has therefore withdrawn from attendance at tonight’s Royal Variety Performance. His Majesty will attend as planned.”
Sources close to the queen say has decided to heed the medical advice even though she is on the road to recovery because she is still suffering from flu-like symptoms. The queen is planning to remain in London Friday night but will move to Sandringham next week. “She is naturally disappointed to miss the evening’s entertainment, and sends her sincere apologies to all those involved, but is a great believer that the show must go on,” said a royal insider. “She hopes to be back to full strength and regular public duties very soon.”
On November 13, the king made another solo appearance at the premiere of Gladiator II after the queen withdrew due to her ongoing ill health. The queen had originally planned to take part in an array of events to observe Remembrance Day earlier this month, before the onset of what one source called a “nasty bug.” Ultimately, she sent the Duchess of Gloucester to the opening of the Field of Remembrance in her stead and was unable to join Kate Middleton and the Duchess of Edinburgh on the balcony for the annual Cenotaph ceremony. However, two days later she did attend a Clarence House reception for the Booker Prize.
