Queen Camilla is Absent from Royal Variety Performance Due to Ongoing Health Recovery
Queen Camilla, 77, will be missing the Royal Variety Performance on Friday, following medical advice to rest and recover from a recent chest infection. Buckingham Palace confirmed that doctors have recommended she prioritize her health after a period of illness that caused her to withdraw from several scheduled events, including Remembrance Sunday.
Despite returning to public duties last week, the Queen is still experiencing “lingering post-viral” symptoms. Her recent public appearances have been carefully managed to support her recovery. On Wednesday, she attended an event at the University of London, where Princess Anne presented her with an honorary doctorate of literature.
A Palace source indicated that the Queen is disappointed to miss the annual event at the Royal Albert Hall but remains committed to her royal duties. The source emphasized that she is “a great believer that ‘the show must go on'” and hopes to return to full strength and regular public engagements very soon. King Charles III is expected to attend the performance as planned.
The Royal Variety Performance, hosted by Amanda Holden and Alan Carr, will feature a musical number from Sir Elton John and David Furnish’s new show, The Devil Wears Prada.
The Queen’s recent public engagements have been deliberately shortened to prevent any setback in her recovery. These included a reception at Clarence House for Booker Prize-shortlisted authors and a Buckingham Palace event celebrating the TV and film industry.
Her chest infection occurred shortly after returning from a significant international trip to Australia and Samoa, which also included a stopover in India. When initially announcing her illness earlier this month, Buckingham Palace stated that her doctors had advised a short period of rest, and she would be cancelling engagements “with great regret.”
This is not the first time the Queen has experienced health challenges. In February 2023, she missed a week of engagements after testing positive for Covid-19, which was her second bout with the virus.
The careful management of her public appearances reflects the royal family’s commitment to supporting her health and ensuring a gradual return to full duties. While disappointed to miss events, the Queen remains dedicated to her royal responsibilities and is focused on a complete recovery.
The Royal Variety Performance will proceed as scheduled, with the understanding that the Queen’s health remains a priority. Her measured approach to returning to public life demonstrates both her resilience and the careful medical guidance she is following.
