Is Queen Camilla Sick? Palace Provides Worrying Update Amid King Charles’ Cancer
Speculation about the royal family is a normal thing, but the frenzy that was reached this week after Queen Camilla canceled a couple of planned appearances feels like it’s reached a fever pitch. This comes amid King Charles’ cancer diagnosis, and the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton also battling cancer. So, it’s no surprise that when appearances are canceled these days, alarm bells ring.
Queen Camilla and King Charles just returned home after a nine-day tour of Australia and Samoa. It was King Charles’s first trip to a Commonwealth realm in his reign. The King has continued treatment for cancer ever since his illness was first announced, with no further significant updates on his health. The palace has not confirmed what type of cancer the King has, but reports indicate it could be pancreatic cancer.
Related: See what Queen Camilla looked like throughout the years
The King’s illness has, of course, placed more of a burden on Queen Camilla to represent the Royal Family, particularly considering the Princess of Wales’ own cancer treatment. Middleton was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer and underwent preventive chemotherapy earlier this year.
So why did Queen Camilla cancel two planned appearances? Is the Queen sick? And will she be attending the Remembrance events set for this weekend? Here’s everything we know.
Is Queen Camilla sick?
Yes, Queen Camilla is sick, though it is reportedly not serious. “Her Majesty The Queen is currently unwell with a chest infection, for which her doctors have advised a short period of rest,” a statement from the palace reads. “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 apologizes to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result.”
The Queen did not attend the annual Field of Remembrance event, which was held at Westminster Abbey on Thursday, Nov. 7. She was represented by Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester at the event. The Queen is a patron of the Poppy Factory, a charity that seeks to support members of the armed forces on their journey to employment. The charity also organizes the Field of Remembrance.
Similarly, the Queen has withdrawn from co-hosting a Buckingham Palace reception alongside King Charles that was meant to honor all medalists for Team Great Britain that competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympic Games. The event was also scheduled for November 7.
The palace has not confirmed whether the Queen will join the rest of the royal family in any of the Remembrance events scheduled for this weekend. The British Royal family typically honor lives lost in war on Remembrance Day, November 10 by appearing at The Cenotaph war memorial in London. Reports indicate the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, might also make an appearance at the event.
