Queen Camilla will make her first public appearance later today, after Buckingham Palace revealed she was ill with a chest infection.
Last Tuesday, it was revealed that Her Majesty had pulled out of a number of scheduled engagements because of the seasonal bug. Doctors advised a short period of rest at home
The Palace later advised that following doctors’ advice she would not be attending Remembrance events, which included the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening and the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph.
But the Queen is due to return to royal duties today, as she hosts a reception at Clarence House to celebrate the authors and books shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize. The event has been cut short to accommodate Her Majesty’s recovery.
On Wednesday she will also attend a reception at Buckingham Palace to celebrate those who work in the television and film industry, but she will not join the King at the global premiere of Gladiator II that evening.
The Queen will not join the King on his birthday on Thursday, where he will be opening the first Coronation food hub at an undisclosed location.
Though Camilla is cutting down on her schedule, it is understood that there is no cause for concern beyond doctors’ guidance.
Her medics are just safeguarding her health to minimise any chance of a setback.
“Following doctors’ guidance to ensure a full recovery from a seasonal chest infection, and to protect others from any potential risk, Her Majesty will not attend this weekend’s Remembrance events,” the Palace said in a statement on Saturday.
“While this is a source of great disappointment to the Queen, she will mark the occasion privately at home and hopes to return to public duties early next week.
Later today, the Queen will celebrate those shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize.
Literacy has long been a key part of Camilla’s work, as a book lover herself she is keen to champion the value of reading and education.
The Booker Prize is the leading literary award in the English-speaking world and has rewarded and celebrated world-class talent since it was launched in 1969.
The winner, who will be announced during a ceremony tonight at Old Billingsgate in London, receives £50,000 and the six shortlisted authors are also awarded £2,500 each.
The shortlisted titles and authors for this year’s prize are: James by Percival Everett, Orbital by Samantha Harvey, Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner, Held by Anne Michaels, The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden and Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood.
Previous winners include Margaret Atwood, Paul Luynch, Bernardine Evaristo and Douglas Stuart.
