Queen Camilla will miss the ceremonial welcome during state visit to Qatar as Buckingham Palace issues a health update

Queen Camilla has been forced to scale back her appearance at the Qatar Emir’s state visit tomorrow as she continues to suffer from the ‘lingering’ side effects of a ‘nasty viral chest infection’.

The 77-year-old royal – who first became ill at the beginning of November – is said to be feeling particularly ‘tired’ and has withdrawn from the ceremonial reception at the Horse Guards Parade on doctor’s advice.

However, she will still attend a luncheon in honor of the Qatari ruler and his wife at Buckingham Palace and will attend most parts of the state banquet in the evening.

To avoid exhausting her, she will greet her and King Charles’ VIP guests and pose for photos before retiring during a long receiving line – before returning for dinner.

Sources have insisted there is no cause for alarm, describing her as having suffered a “nasty viral chest infection” who is still experiencing “some lingering side effects, leaving Her Majesty with significantly reduced energy reserves.”

As a result, they said, her doctors recommended some “adjustments” to her program.

Her decision not to join the King at Horse Guards for a full ceremonial welcome and carriage ride back to Buckingham Palace on a cold morning was a sensible precaution given the nature of her illness, they underlined.

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 during tomorrow’s state visit.

The Queen will miss the ceremonial reception during the state visit to Qatar due to the lingering effects of a respiratory 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 their plane as they arrive for a state visit to Britain, at Stansted Airport near London.

Catherine, 42, will make her most significant public engagement since beginning cancer treatment as she welcomes the Emir of Qatar to London on behalf of the King.

She will also take part in an official welcome at 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 view an exhibition of priceless Qatari artefacts from the Royal Collection.

The only aspect of the day she will miss is tomorrow evening’s glittering state banquet.

A royal source described the announcement of her presence as “good news” as the Princess continues a slow and measured return to public life following the completion of her preventive chemotherapy treatment.

Camilla’s diagnosis of a chest infection was first announced on November 5 when it emerged she had been forced to withdraw from the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, followed by other events at the weekend, including the Cenotaph, to honor the country’s war dead to honor.

As the daughter of a twice decorated World War II veteran, such duties are taken very seriously by the Queen and her absence was a sign of how poorly she was feeling, sources close to Camilla told the Mail.

Since then, she has taken on several public engagements, including the annual diplomatic reception, but at times she has cut her time in public short.

The king’s wife’s diagnosis was first announced on November 5 when it emerged she had been forced to withdraw from the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, followed by other events over the weekend, including the Cenotaph, honoring the war dead of the country.

At a reception celebrating Britain’s film and television industry last month, the queen discreetly coughed several times during her abbreviated appearance and sipped gratefully from a glass of water. She said she had felt “absolutely crappy” for the past week, but was definitely “on the mend.” ‘.

In light of the news that she will miss tomorrow’s ceremonial welcome, royal sources have insisted that there has been ‘no change’ in the diagnosis or treatment Camilla has received.

They stressed that Her Majesty only needs time to “rest and fully recover, which is more challenging in a diary program such as the state visit.”

No substantial changes to her other calendar commitments are expected for the rest of the week, although it is understood that each day will be taken as it comes.

Guidelines from her medical team show that in such cases, post-viral fatigue symptoms can last for several weeks.

At tonight’s state banquet, Her Majesty will pose for photographs with the Emir and Sheikha Jawaher before briefly retiring.

She will then attend the dinner as planned. and say the official farewell together with the king on Wednesday.

Camilla has been praised for the way she has stepped up on behalf of her husband this year, after he was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and is still undergoing treatment.

Sources have described her as a “trooper.”

Queen Camilla met British actor Emily Mortimer at a reception honoring those working in the TV and film industries at Buckingham Palace on November 13, 2024.

Tomorrow’s state visit is considered one of the highlights of the royal calendar and a show of royal ‘soft diplomacy’ in action.

Senior Qatari diplomats have told the Mail they are ‘deeply honoured’ that the king has chosen their country as the first Middle Eastern state to be invited for a full state visit to Britain since Charles’ accession.

The country has a good diplomatic relationship with Britain, with the emir, 44, having studied in Britain – first at Sherborne and then at Harrow – followed by a period at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst.

There remains great admiration for the late Queen Elizabeth, and King Charles met the emir several times.

The two countries also have strong trade, cultural and military ties, and Qatar is a major investor in Britain, not only through property and construction projects, but also in science and technology.

However, concerns have been raised about the authoritarian nature of the Qatari ruling family and human rights, especially regarding 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 during the visit.

She is the mother of four of his thirteen children and normally accompanies him on official visits abroad. He also has two consecutive husbands.

Tomorrow’s state visit with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (pictured) is considered one of the highlights of the royal calendar and a show 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 Britain today at Stansted Airport, where they were greeted on behalf of the sovereign by the Lord in Waiting, The Viscount Hood.

The couple landed in Britain today at Stansted Airport, where they were greeted on behalf of the sovereign by the Lord in Waiting, The Viscount Hood.

Tomorrow they will be officially welcomed by the Prince and Princess of Wales to their residence, before being escorted to the Horse Guards Parade where King and Queen Camilla will await an impressive ceremonial welcome.

National anthems will be played and the Emir will be invited to inspect a guard of honor.