APIA, SAMOA - OCTOBER 26: Queen Camilla attends a farewell ceremony on the final day of the royal visit to Australia and Samoa at the Siumu Village on October 26, 2024 in Apia, Samoa. The King's visit to Australia is his first as monarch, and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa will be his first as head of the Commonwealth. (Photo by Ian Vogler - Pool/Getty Images)

Buckingham Palace makes announcement about the Queen's health as she 'withdraws from engagements'

05 Nov 2024, 13:35 by Fionnula Hainey · Manchester Evening News

Buckingham Palace has issued an announcement about the Queen's health.

Queen Camilla is "currently unwell with a chest infection" and has had to postpone engagements, the Palace said.

Buckingham Palace said she has been advised to take a "short period of rest" but hopes to be able to attend Remembrance events at the weekend.

A spokesperson for the Palace said: "Her Majesty The Queen is currently unwell with a chest infection, for which her doctors have advised a short period of rest.

"With great regret, Her Majesty has therefore had to withdraw from her engagements for this week but she very much hopes to be recovered in time to attend this weekend’s Remembrance events as normal.

"She apologises to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result."

The Duchess of Gloucester has stepped in on the Queen’s behalf to attend the annual opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on Thursday. Camilla has also had to pull out of a Buckingham Palace reception for Olympic and Paralympic athletes hosted by the King the same evening.

It is understood the Queen is currently resting at home. No further details regarding her illness or treatment have been released but she is understood to be under doctors’ supervision.

Just a few days ago, Camilla and King Charles returned from an overseas visit to Samoa and Australia. They stopped off in India as they returned from their trip as Charles followed advice to take periods of rest to prioritise his cancer recovery.

The 23-hour flight to India was to “break” their 33-hour journey from Samoa to England, Buckingham Palace said. A spokesperson said: “Their Majesties had a short private stopover in India to help break the long journey back from Samoa.”

It is understood the stopover was not connected to any sudden health scares but was part of the guidance given to the King to take periods of rest on the tour.

Their Majesties arrived in the UK via an approximate nine-hour commercial flight on Wednesday morning, October 30.