Queen Camilla health update as royal confirms major diagnosis at state visit
Queen Camilla had already missed a number of royal engagements with a chest infection, and now it has been confirmed the royal has been diagnosed with “a form of pneumonia”
Queen Camilla has been diagnosed with pneumonia, the royal has announced.
The Queen has told guests at the state visit of Qatar’s Emir and his wife today that her chest infection was a form of the lung disease.
Camilla is suffering from post-viral fatigue and is missing the outdoor elements of the Qatari visit after being urged by her doctors to take more time to recover. The Queen was not taken to hospital, but is now facing bouts of extreme tiredness.
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It is understood Camilla’s condition was viral, not bacterial, and she no longer has pneumonia.
The Queen missed the outdoor ceremonial welcome on a chilly Horse Guards Parade on Tuesday.
The news comes a day after the Palace confirmed Camilla would miss the ceremonial welcome during the Qatari state visit after suffering significantly diminished reserves of energy following her chest infection.
Doctors have urged Camilla, 77, to take time to rest and recover fully because of the lingering effects of the illness, which she contracted a month ago following her long-haul trip to Australia and Samoa.
Queen Camilla arrives at the Ceremonial Welcome at Horse Guards today for The Amir of Qatar. (
SWNS)
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “The Queen has been suffering from a viral infection which has been diagnosed as pneumonia.
“Her Majesty has not required hospital treatment but is experiencing lingering side effects, chiefly suffering extreme bouts of tiredness which has meant the need for greater flex in her working diary.
“Her symptoms have been persistent for a number of weeks but fortunately she is well enough to attend several engagements for the Qatari state visit and looks forward to returning to a full schedule as soon as possible.”
The Queen’s ongoing infection has forced her to pull out of previous events, most noticeably earlier in November, when she missed out on several events commemorating Remembrance Day.
She pulled out of the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance and the traditional Cenotaph wreath laying, which King Charles and other UK dignitaries attended.
The royal discussed her condition with attendees (
PA)
She commemorated the event “privately at home” instead.
The Queen also pulled out of the Royal Variety Performance last week, with Buckingham Palace having released a statement touching on her lingering symptoms.
In a statement ahead of the event, the palace said she “continues to experience some lingering post-viral symptoms”, and that she would rest on doctors’ advice.
Royal sources had previously said there had been no alteration in any diagnosis or treatment Camilla was receiving, and that the Queen needs time to rest and recover fully, which was more challenging with a back-to back diary programme such as the state visit.
The Queen has pulled out of a number of royal duties recently (
PA)
No major changes are expected to her diary for the rest of the week, but the Queen has been advised by her medical team to take each day as it comes.
Meanwhile, the occasion marks the start of a busier week for Kate, who is slowly increasing her public appearances after finishing her chemotherapy treatment in the summer.
The princess will be hosting her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday, when she is expected to be joined by her children and husband for the event.
King and Queen reveal this year’s Christmas card
King Charles and Queen Camilla have chosen a photograph of themselves taken in the garden of Buckingham Palace for their official Christmas card.
The photograph – taken in April – shows the smiling couple standing side-by-side on what appears to be a sunny day. The greeting inside reads “Wishing you a very happy Christmas and New Year”.
The King – standing on the left – is wearing a grey suit and blue tie with his right hand tucked into his pocket, while the Queen wears a blue wool crepe dress.
This photograph is their third Christmas card since Charles became King.
The image, captured by photographer Millie Pilkington, was taken as the King returned to public duties following his cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The palace said the card reflects the moment life was beginning to return to normality.
The photograph is also a more informal picture than the one chosen for Christmas 2023.
Last year’s picture was captured by Hugo Burnand and showed the royal couple in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace following the coronation.
The couple were standing side-by-side, with King Charles pictured wearing the Imperial State Crown and Queen Camilla wearing Queen Mary’s Crown.
Christmas images used to decorate official festive cards are regularly released by senior members of the Royal Family.
It will take Charles and Camilla several days to personally sign all the cards. There will be around 2,700 which will be sent to people across the globe including family, friends, world leaders and organisations.
Queen Camilla Hosts Christmas Tree Trimming Party at Her London Home amid Health Issues
The Queen, 77, took part in what has become a traditional event for her during the holiday season
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Queen Camilla is continuing one of her most beloved holiday traditions.
On Thursday, Dec. 12, Camilla, 77, hosted a tree trimming party at her and King Charles’ London home of Clarence House. The festive occasion is part of an annual event that Camilla throws for the children of Helen & Douglas House, the world’s first children’s hospice (based in Oxfordshire), which provides medical, emotional and practical support for seriously ill children and their families, as well as children helped by Roald Dahl’s Marvelous Children’s Charity. The Queen is patron of both organizations.
Camilla, who has been recovering from a chest infection, which she revealed on Dec. 3 to have been a form of pneumonia, and her staff presented an afternoon of surprises for her guests. The children were welcomed to the London residence by palace guardsmen and musical accompaniment from the Band and Bugles of the Rifles Regiment (Camilla is Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment). Inside, there was a Christmas performance by the band, and Santa Claus was also on hand. At the center of the fun was the tree trimming.
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The children and their families and carers then joined the Queen for lunch.
Surprises have been plentiful on previous occasions. In 2021, Camilla used a soldier’s sword to carefully position some ornaments.
A pair of reindeer brought smiles to children attending the event on another occasion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Camilla continued the Christmas decorating event by holding it virtually. “We have to make the best of it,” she said.
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The holiday event came after a day of activities on Dec. 11, when Camilla joined a party honoring the Royal Volunteer Service and, along with King Charles, was entertained by the Military Wives’ Choir.
The royals on both sides of the Atlantic have been taking part in holiday parties for charities and causes close to their hearts. On Dec. 6, Kate Middleton hosted her fourth annual Together at Christmas carol concert, which was attended by 1,600 guests, including many members of the royal family.
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On Dec. 10, Prince William, 42, joined families from the Mercian Regiment, in Wiltshire for a Christmas party. There, he was shown a drawing created by 10-year-old Carson Heighway, depicting the prince himself — complete with beard and thinning hair! Finding the portrait amusing, he tucked it into his pocket, presumably planning to share it with his family.
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On the same day, his brother Prince Harry, 40, sent some holiday love to bereaved military children when he joined a virtual Christmas party for 280 children and young people who have experienced the death of a parent in the British armed forces.
On Dec 7, Camilla and Charles revealed their holiday card, sent to family and friends this year, will wrap up their duties in London in the coming days and then head to Sandringham, Norfolk for the holidays. There, they will celebrate Christmas with most of the royal family, including Prince William, Princess Kate, and children, Prince George, 11 Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6.
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For more on the royal family’s Christmas traditions, pick up PEOPLE’s
