Queen Camilla is being forced to scale back her appearance at tomorrow’s State Visit by the Emir of Qatar as she is still suffering from the ‘lingering’ side effects of a ‘nasty viral chest infection’.

The 77-year-old royal – who first fell ill at the beginning of November – is said to be feeling particularly ‘fatigued’ and has pulled out of the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade on doctor’s advice.

However she will still attend a lunch to honour the Qatari ruler and his wife at Buckingham Palace and will attend most elements of the State Banquet in the evening.

So as not to exhaust her, she will greet her and King Charles‘ VIP guests and pose for photographs before retiring during a lengthy receiving line – before returning for the dinner.

Sources have stressed there is no cause for alarm, describing her as having had a ‘nasty viral chest infection’ which continues to ‘have some lingering side effects, in particular leaving Her Majesty with significantly diminished reserves of energy.’

As a result, they said, her doctors have advised some ‘tweaks’ to her programme.

Her decision not to join the King at Horse Guards for a full ceremonial welcome and open-air carriage drive back to Buckingham Palace on a cold morning was a sensible precaution given the nature of her illness, they underscored. 

The latest update from Buckingham Palace comes on the same day it was announced the Princess of Wales will now undertake even more royal duties than previously planned at tomorrow’s state visit. 

The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al-Thani disembark from their plane as they arrive on a state visit to Britain, at Stansted Airport near London, 

Catherine, 42, will undertake her most significant public engagement since she began cancer treatment as she welcomes the Emir of Qatar to London on behalf of the King.

She will also take part in an official welcome on Horse Guards and a carriage procession back to Buckingham Palace.

And it has now been confirmed that she also will join the royal party for a private lunch at the monarch’s official residence and stay to view a display of priceless Qatari artefacts from the Royal Collection afterwards.

The only aspect of the day she will miss will be tomorrow evening’s glittering State Banquet.

A royal source described the announcement of her attendance as ‘good news’ as the princess continues with her a slow and measured return to public life after the completion of her preventative chemotherapy treatment.

Camilla’s chest infection diagnosis was first announced on November 5 when it emerged that she had been forced to pull out of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, followed by other events over the weekend, including the Cenotaph, to honour the nation’s war dead.

As the daughter of a twice-decorated World War Two veteran, such duties are taken very seriously by the Queen and her absence was a sign of how poorly she was feeling, sources close to Camilla told the Mail.

She has undertaken several public engagements since then, including the annual diplomatic reception, but has, sometimes, curtailed her time spent in public.

The King’s wife diagnosis was first announced on November 5 when it emerged that she had been forced to pull out of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, followed by other events over the weekend, including the Cenotaph, to honour the nation’s war dead

At a reception to honour the UK’s film and television industry last month, the Queen discreetly coughed several times during her shortened appearance and gratefully sipped on a glass of water – saying she had felt ‘absolutely rotten’ last week but was definitely ‘on the mend’.

In light of the news she will miss tomorrow’s ceremonial welcome, royal sources have stressed there has been ‘no alteration’ in any diagnosis or treatment Camilla has been receiving. 

They stressed that Her Majesty just needs time to ‘rest and recover fully, which is more challenging with a back-to back diary programme such as the State Visit’.

No substantial changes to her other diary commitments are expected the rest of the week, though it is understood each day is being taken as it comes.

Guidance from her medical team suggests that in such cases, post-viral fatigue symptoms can persist for several weeks.

At tonight’s tomorrow’s State Banquet, Her Majesty will pose for photographs with the Emir and Sheikha Jawaher, before retiring briefly. 

She will then attend the dinner as planned. and join the King for the official farewells on Wednesday.

Camilla has been praised for the way she has stepped up this year on behalf of her husband, after he was diagnosed with cancer at the start of the year and has continued to undergo treatment.

Sources have described her as a ‘trooper’.

Queen Camilla met British actor Emily Mortimer during a reception to celebrate those who work within the TV and film industry, at Buckingham Palace on November 13, 2024.

Tomorrow’s state visit is considered one of the highlights of the royal calendar and a show of royal ‘soft diplomacy’ in action.

Senior Qatari diplomats have told the Mail that they are ‘deeply honoured’ the King has chosen their country as the first Middle Eastern state to be invited for a full state visit to the UK since Charles’ accession.

The country enjoys a good relationship with the UK diplomatically, with the Emir, 44, having studied in Britain – first at Sherborne and then Harrow – followed by a stint at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.

There remains great admiration for the late Queen Elizabeth, and King Charles has met with the Emir on several occasions.

The two countries also have strong trade, cultural and military links, and Qatar is a major investor in the UK, not just through property and construction projects, but in science and technology.

However concerns have been raised about the authoritarian nature of the Qatari ruling family and human rights, particularly as regards migrant workers.

The Emir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will be bringing his first wife -and second cousin – Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad Al Thani, with him on the visit.

She is the mother of four of his 13 children and normally accompanies him on official visits abroad. He also has two subsequent spouses.

Tomorrow’s state visit with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (pictured) is considered one of the highlights of the royal calendar and a show of royal ‘soft diplomacy’ in action

The Emir arrived at Stansted airport on Monday accompanied by his first wife – and second cousin – Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad Al Thani (pictured)

The couple landed in the UK at Stansted Airport today where they were greeted on behalf of the sovereign by the Lord in Waiting, The Viscount Hood. 

The couple landed in the UK at Stansted Airport today where they were greeted on behalf of the sovereign by the Lord in Waiting, The Viscount Hood.

Tomorrow they will be officially welcomed by the Prince and Princess of Wales at their residence, before being escorted to Horse Guards Parade where the King and Queen Camilla will be waiting for an impressive ceremonial welcome.

National anthems will be played and the Emir invited to inspect a Guard of Honour.