Queen Camilla Speaks Out on Recovery After Chest Infection

Queen Camilla is Queen Camilla is speaking about her health for the first time since the palace revealed she had to step back from royal engagements due to a chest infection.

The Queen, 77, returned to her royal duties on Nov. 12, a week after the palace shared news of her illness, which required her to cancel her scheduled engagements. As she continued her recovery, she also opted out of joining the royal family for Remembrance events over the weekend to prioritize her health.

During a reception at Clarence House for The Booker Prize Foundation, she shared an update on how she’s feeling.

“I’m obviously getting much better, bit of sort of coughing going on,” the Queen remarked in a video shared on X by Daily Mail royal correspondent Rebecca English on Nov. 12, which captured her speaking to a guest as she arrived. 

“I really wanted to come,” she added about the event, which took place at her Clarence House home in London.

In another clip shared X, Camilla is heard saying: “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,” as she spoke with American author Percival Everett, whose book James is shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize.

“But hopefully, I’m on the mend now. It’s nice to see you again,” she added.

Literacy is a cause close to heart for King Charles‘ wife, who has long supported several literary organizations, including the Booker Prize, and is known to be a keen reader. She appeared at the engagement ahead of the Booker Prize 2024 ceremony, which is being held in London this evening.

Although she attended Tuesday’s event, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Queen Camilla will not accompany King Charles on the red carpet for the Gladiator II film premiere on Wednesday, Nov. 13. PEOPLE understands this decision was made as a precaution, easing her transition back to public duties without added strain.

The Clarence House outing marked Queen Camilla’s return to work after the palace announced on Nov. 5 that she had fallen ill with a chest infection and would be canceling her plans for the week. The King and Queen had recently returned from a long-distance trip to Australia and Samoa for a royal tour in October, the first official trip to a Commonwealth realm of his royal reign.

“Her Majesty The Queen is currently unwell with a chest infection, for which her doctors have advised a short period of rest,” the statement from the palace 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 apologizes to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result.”

In the interim, the Queen rested privately at home under the care of her doctors. The royal schedule shifted, with Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester and King Charles each stepping up at events on Nov. 7 in her stead. 

Despite the Queen’s wish to join her family at the weekend’s Remembrance events, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Nov. 9 that the Queen would not be there as she continued recovering from a “seasonal chest infection.” 

“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 statement said.

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“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,” it continued.

PEOPLE understood that there was no cause for concern for the Queen, who was spending the weekend at Ray Mill Wiltshire, her private home in the countryside. 

She did not want to pass on any lingering infection to others and was worried that attending the events would prolong her recovery.

King Charles, Prince William and Kate Middleton stepped out together at the Festival of Remembrance on Nov. 10 and Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph war memorial on Nov. 11, staple events on the royal family’s annual calendar to commemorate British and Commonwealth lives lost in war.

On Nov. 12, the day after Remembrance Sunday, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Queen Camilla will not join her husband King Charles on the red carpet later this week, on Nov. 13. 

PEOPLE understands that the decision is a precaution and to lighten any strain on the Queen as she gradually resumes public-facing work.