Friends of Queen Camilla revealed to The Daily Mail that her absence from this year’s Royal Variety Performance was due to concerns about disrupting the event with her persistent cough.
The same insiders shared that while the Queen is otherwise in good health, her recurring cough during speech makes public engagements challenging to manage. Despite her withdrawal, sources reassured the public there is no need for concern.
The Duchess of Gloucester steps in during Queen Camilla’s recovery
Buckingham Palace addressed the situation in a statement issued on Friday, Nov. 22, explaining that the Queen continues to deal with lingering symptoms from a recent chest infection. After a busy week of commitments, her doctors recommended she rest. With regret, the Queen decided to forego the Royal Variety Performance to prioritize her recovery.
Earlier in the month, on Nov. 5, the Palace had informed the public through the BBC that Queen Camilla had canceled several engagements due to a chest infection. At the time, the announcement expressed her hope to recover in time for the upcoming Remembrance events.
Due to her illness, the Queen missed several known occasions, including the opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on Nov. 7, where the Duchess of Gloucester stood in for her. She was also unable to attend the Festival of Remembrance concert at the Royal Albert Hall and the annual service at the Cenotaph the following day.
Princess Kate attended the Festival of Remembrance alongside Prince William and King Charles, representing the royal family at the event.
