Queen Camilla has postponed her Qatari state visit due to lingering post-viral symptoms from a chest infection. She will not attend some elements of the visit, including the official arrival of the Emir of Qatar on Tuesday morning.
Introduction
Queen Camilla is set to miss the start of a high-profile Qatari state visit due to lingering post-viral symptoms from a chest infection.
Infection Details
A Palace source said that the infection she has had in recent weeks is lingering, leaving her with diminished reserves of energy. Changes to the Queen’s programme have been made on the advice of doctors.
Program Adjustments
The 77-year-old will not attend the official arrival of the Emir of Qatar on Tuesday morning and her presence at other elements of the visit will be scaled back. King Charles and the Prince and Princess of Wales are set to welcome the Qatari leader to the UK during the traditional formal greeting at London’s Horse Guards Parade.
Upcoming Events
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The Queen will not be present for a carriage ride back to Buckingham Palace after the traditional formal welcome.
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She will attend a lunch at the palace when the royal party returns and is hoping to see an exhibition in the Picture Gallery in the royal residence.
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The Queen will also attend the state banquet on Tuesday but Catherine will miss that event.
Previous Engagements
She pulled out of a number of scheduled engagements at the start of November – such as Remembrance Sunday, because of the chest infection and doctors had advised she spend a short period of rest at home. She appeared at an event at the University of London, where she was presented with an honorary doctorate of literature by Princess Anne.
Health Update
The Palace said she would return to public duties later that month but with some changes to her schedule. The Queen did not attend the Royal Variety Performance with the King on 22 November after the Palace announced she would not be joining him following “lingering post-viral” symptoms from the chest infection.
Diagnosis and Recovery
The diagnosis she initially received in November has not changed, and she needs time to rest and recover fully. This is more challenging with the back-to-back nature of engagements on a state visit.
Initial Infection and Recovery
In early November, Buckingham Palace announced that Her Majesty The Queen was currently unwell with a chest infection, for which her doctors advised a short period of rest.
Scheduled Engagements Affected by the Infection
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Remembrance Sunday: The Queen pulled out of this event due to the chest infection.
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University of London Event (honorary doctorate of literature presentation by Princess Anne): The Queen attended this event.
Current Health Status and Upcoming State Visit
As of 2 December 2024, a Buckingham Palace source stated that the Queen will miss some elements of the Qatari state visit due to a viral chest infection. The infection she has had in recent weeks is lingering, leaving her with diminished reserves of energy.
Changes to the Queen’s programme have been made on the advice of doctors. She will not attend the official arrival of the Emir of Qatar on Tuesday morning and her presence at other elements of the visit will be scaled back.
Adjusted Schedule for the State Visit
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Official Arrival of the Emir of Qatar: The Queen will not attend this event.
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Lunch at the Palace: The Queen will attend a lunch when the royal party returns.
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Exhibition in the Picture Gallery: She is hoping to see an exhibition in the Picture Gallery.
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Farewells to the Emir on Wednesday: The Queen is expected to be at the farewells.
Diagnosis and Rest
With temperatures expected to hover around 7C in London on Tuesday, it is likely royal doctors were keen for the Queen to miss the ceremonial welcome to avoid her standing in the cold for an extended period of time.
