Queen Camilla provided an update on her health following a chest infection that led her to temporarily step back from royal duties. The 77-year-old monarch discussed her recovery during a reception for The Booker Prize Foundation at Clarence House, her and King Charles III's residence near Buckingham Palace. This event marked Camilla's first official engagement since the palace announced on November 5 that she was canceling all upcoming commitments to rest and recover from the infection.
"I'm obviously getting much better, bit of sort of coughing going on," the Queen said in a video shared by DailyMail royal correspondent Rebecca English. She added, "I really wanted to come." Camilla also mentioned to American author Percival Everett, whose book "James" is shortlisted for this year's Booker Prize, "I'm on the mend, these things always take a bit of time to get rid of. You think you got rid of it, they just sort of hang on for a bit. But hopefully, I'm on the mend now. It's nice to see you again."
A strong advocate for literacy, the Queen has long supported the Booker Prize, which held its annual awards ceremony in London. In 2021, during the peak of the COVID pandemic, she founded The Queen's Reading Room, a charity aimed at celebrating and promoting the benefits of reading. Initially known as The Duchess of Cornwall's Reading Room, it was renamed after King Charles' ascension to the throne.
Despite her positive outlook at the Booker Prize event, Camilla will not be attending the premiere of "Gladiator II" with King Charles on Wednesday, according to Buckingham Palace. People reported that she is staying home "as a precaution" to avoid additional strain as she gradually returns to public life. Camilla missed last weekend's Remembrance Day events, including the ceremony at The Cenotaph war memorial, due to her illness. The palace confirmed she needed to continue resting.
The royal couple has been active, recently completing a tour of Australia and Samoa in October. Camilla's health issues follow a year marked by medical concerns within the royal family. In February, King Charles announced his cancer diagnosis, followed by Princess of Wales Kate Middleton sharing her own cancer diagnosis in March.
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