Queen Camilla is being forced to scale back her appearance at tomorrow’s state visit by the Emir of Qatar as she is still suffering from the “lingering” side effects of a “nasty viral chest infection”.
The royal, 77, who first fell ill in early November, is said to be feeling particularly “fatigued” and withdrew from the welcoming ceremony at Horse Guards Parade on the advice of his doctor.
However, he will still attend a lunch in honor of the Qatari ruler and his wife at Buckingham Palace and will attend most elements of the evening’s state banquet.
So as not to tire her out, he will greet her and King Charles’s VIP guests and pose for photographs before leaving during a long reception line, before returning for dinner.
Sources have stressed that there is no cause for alarm, describing her as having had a “nasty viral chest infection” which continues to “have some lingering side effects, in particular leaving Her Majesty with significantly diminished energy reserves.”
As a result, they said, his doctors recommended some “tweaks” to his program.
They stressed that their decision not to accompany the King at Horse Guards for a full ceremonial welcome and open-air carriage ride back to Buckingham Palace on a cold morning was a sensible precaution given the nature of his illness.
The latest update from Buckingham Palace comes on the same day it was announced that the Princess of Wales will now take on even more royal duties than previously planned on tomorrow’s state visit.
The Queen will miss the welcome ceremony during the state visit to Qatar due to the lingering effects of a chest infection, Buckingham Palace said.
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al-Thani, disembark from their plane as they arrive on a state visit to Britain, at Stansted Airport, near London.
Catherine, 42, will undertake her biggest public engagement since beginning cancer treatment by hosting the Emir of Qatar in London on behalf of the King.
You will also take part in an official welcome aboard the Horse Guards and a carriage procession back to Buckingham Palace.
And now it has been confirmed that she will also join the royal party for a private lunch at the monarch’s official residence and then stay to see an exhibition of priceless Qatari artefacts from the Royal Collection.
The only aspect of the day that will be missed will be tomorrow night’s brilliant State Banquet.
A royal source described the announcement of her attendance as “good news” as the princess continues her slow and measured return to public life after completing her preventive chemotherapy treatment.
Camilla’s respiratory infection diagnosis was first announced on November 5 when it emerged that she had been forced to withdraw from the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, followed by other events over the weekend, including the Cenotaph, to honor the nation’s war dead.
As the daughter of a twice-decorated Second World War veteran, the Queen takes those duties very seriously and her absence was a sign of how bad she felt, sources close to Camilla told the Mail.
Since then, he has undertaken several public engagements, including the annual diplomatic reception, but has occasionally reduced the time he spends in public.
The king’s wife’s diagnosis was first announced on November 5 when it emerged that she had been forced to leave the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, followed by other events over the weekend, including the Cenotaph, to honor the nation’s war dead.
At a reception to honor the UK film and television industry last month, the Queen discreetly coughed several times during her brief appearance and gratefully drank a glass of water, saying she had felt “absolutely terrible” last week but he was definitely “getting better.” ‘.
In light of the news that she will miss tomorrow’s welcome ceremony, royal sources have stressed that there has been “no alteration” to any diagnosis or treatment Camilla has been receiving.
They stressed that Her Majesty only needs time to “rest and fully recover, which is more challenging with a back-to-back daily schedule like the State Visit.”
No substantial changes to his other daily commitments are expected for the rest of the week, although it is understood that each day is taken as it comes.
Guidance from your medical team suggests that in such cases, post-viral fatigue symptoms may persist for several weeks.
At tomorrow’s State Banquet, Her Majesty will take photographs with the Emir and Sheikha Jawaher, but will then leave briefly during the long reception line.
He will then attend the dinner as planned and join the King for the official farewell on Wednesday.
Camilla has been praised for the way she has stepped up this year on her husband’s behalf, after he was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and continued treatment.
Sources have described her as a “soldier.”
Queen Camilla met British actress Emily Mortimer during a reception to celebrate those working in the film and television industry, at Buckingham Palace on November 13, 2024.
Tomorrow’s state visit is seen as one of the highlights of the royal calendar and a showcase of royal “soft diplomacy” in action.
Senior Qatari diplomats told the Mail they feel “deeply honoured” that the King has chosen their country as the first Middle Eastern state invited to a full state visit to the UK since Charles’ accession.
The country enjoys a good diplomatic relationship with the UK as the emir, 44, studied in Britain, first at Sherborne and then Harrow, followed by a stint at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
There remains great admiration for the late Queen Elizabeth, and King Charles has met the Emir on several occasions.
The two countries also have strong commercial, cultural and military links, and Qatar is a major investor in the UK, not only through property and construction projects, but also in science and technology.
However, concerns have been raised about the authoritarian nature of Qatar’s ruling family and human rights, particularly as it relates to migrant workers.
The Emir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will bring his first wife and second cousin, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad Al Thani, with him on the visit.
She is the mother of four of his 13 children and usually accompanies him on official visits abroad. He also has two subsequent spouses.
Tomorrow’s state visit to Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (pictured) is seen as one of the highlights of the royal calendar and a showcase of royal “soft diplomacy” in action.
The emir arrived at Stansted Airport on Monday accompanied by his first wife and second cousin, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad Al Thani (pictured).
The couple landed in the UK today at Stansted Airport, where they were welcomed on behalf of the sovereign by the Lord in Waiting, Viscount Hood.
The couple landed in the UK today at Stansted Airport, where they were welcomed on behalf of the sovereign by the Lord in Waiting, Viscount Hood.
Tomorrow they will be officially welcomed by the Prince and Princess of Wales at their residence, before being escorted to Horse Guards Parade, where the King and Queen Camilla will be waiting for them for an impressive welcome ceremony.
National anthems will be played and the Emir will be invited to inspect a Guard of Honor.