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Royal news - live: Queen Camilla withdraws from engagements after becoming unwell

Comes just weeks after a nine-day tour of Australia and Samoa

Athena Stavrou
Tuesday 05 November 2024 16:15
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Prince William confronted by founder of The Big Issue in awkward interaction

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The Queen has been forced to withdraw from all engagements this week after falling ill with a chest infection.

Buckingham Palace said Camilla, who has recently returned from a busy official overseas tour to Australia and Samoa, has been advised to undergo a “short period of rest” by doctors.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “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 apologises to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result.”

The update comes after a year of difficult health troubles for the royal family, with both the King and the Princess of Wales being diagnosed with cancer.

No further details regarding her illness or treatment have been released, but she is understood to be being cared for under doctors’ supervision.

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Watch: Prince William and Robert Irwin discuss favourite animals in Cape Town

Prince William and Robert Irwin discuss favourite animals in Cape Town
Athena Stavrou5 November 2024 16:15
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Full story: King ‘cuts financial ties to disgraced Prince Andrew after refusal to move out of home’

The King is cutting financial ties to the disgraced Duke of York after he refused to move out of his home, a royal writer has claimed.

In what is a new low in the brothers’ relationship, Prince Andrew’s annual £1 million “living allowance” has been withdrawn by Charles, according to a new book by Robert Hardman.

The move will be seen as another step the monarch has taken to publicly distance himself from his younger brother following his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Read the full story below:

King ‘cuts financial ties to disgraced Andrew after refusal to move out of home’

Duke of York’s annual £1 million ‘living allowance’ withdrawn by Charles in claimed new low in brothers’ relationship

Athena Stavrou5 November 2024 15:46
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Charles continues duties

As the Queen pulls out of engagements after falling ill, the King is carrying on with his duties.

Charles held an audience at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, holding audiences with two new ambassadors and a high commissioner.

The 75-year-old monarch welcomed Qatari ambassador Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Thani; Rajendre Khargi, who is the ambassador from the Republic of Suriname; and the High Commissioner for the Republic of Vanuatu, Georges Maniuri, who presented their credentials in the 1844 room.

Athena Stavrou5 November 2024 15:14
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Starmer wishes Queen a speedy recovery

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer posted the Queen a get-well message on social media.

Sir Keir wrote: “On behalf of the whole country, I wish Her Majesty The Queen a speedy recovery.”

Athena Stavrou5 November 2024 14:44
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Duchess of Gloucester steps in for Camilla

Birgitte, The Duchess of Gloucester has stepped in on the Queen’s behalf to attend the annual opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on Thursday.

Camilla has also pulled out of a Buckingham Palace reception for Olympic and Paralympic athletes hosted by the King the same evening.

It is understood the Queen is currently resting at home.

No further details regarding her illness or treatment have been released but she is understood to be under doctors’ supervision.

Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester
Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester (Getty Images)
Athena Stavrou5 November 2024 14:16
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Pictured: Prince William meets South African President in Cape Town

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa meeting Britain's Prince William at the Genadendal, the Official Residence of the President in Cape Town
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa meeting Britain's Prince William at the Genadendal, the Official Residence of the President in Cape Town (GCIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Salma Ouaguira5 November 2024 14:10
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Queen Camilla ‘unwell with chest infection'

Queen Camilla is unwell with a chest infection and has withdrawn from her engagements this week, Buckingham Palace has announced.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “Her Majesty The Queen is currently unwell with a chest infection, for which her doctors have advised a short period of rest.

“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 apologises to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result.”

It is understood the Queen will remain at home under doctor’s supervision while she recovers.

Queen Camilla (Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA)
Queen Camilla (Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA) (PA Wire)
Salma Ouaguira5 November 2024 13:40
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Teenagers shout ‘tackle the prince’ as William joins them for touch rugby

The Prince of Wales heard the cry “tackle the prince” when he challenged a group of teenagers to a game of touch rugby near Cape Town.

William joined former South Africa rugby internationals he called “legends” to take on the fast-footed schoolchildren from townships benefiting from a sporting project founded by ex-England rugby star Jason Leonard.

William seemed keen to get his hands on the ball, as he bravely tried to pass his way past the youngsters from Ocean View Secondary School in Ocean View, as one young player shouted “tackle the prince”.

At one point two teenagers grabbed William, stopping him in his tracks and leaving him laughing.

Blessings Gwedeza, 17, one of a number of young players who managed to tackle the prince, said afterwards: “It was an honour to meet him, to have the opportunity to play against him is something I won’t forget.”

(Getty Images)
Athena Stavrou5 November 2024 13:30
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Watch: Prince William confronted by founder of The Big Issue in awkward interaction

Prince William confronted by founder of The Big Issue in awkward interaction
Athena Stavrou5 November 2024 13:00
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Pictured: William hikes up to South African viewpoint on second day of visit

(Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA Wire)
William met rangers and conservationists during a visit to Signal Hill, which is part of the wider Table Mountain National Park (Chris Jackson/PA)
William met rangers and conservationists during a visit to Signal Hill, which is part of the wider Table Mountain National Park (Chris Jackson/PA) (PA Wire)
(Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA Wire)
Athena Stavrou5 November 2024 12:33

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