Buckingham Palace gives health update on Queen Camilla as she pulls out of event
Queen Camilla will not be attending the Duchess of Kent’s funeral today.
Queen Camilla will no longer be attending the Duchess of Kent’s funeral this afternoon as she is recovering from acute sinusitis, Buckingham Palace has said. A statement read: “With great regret, Her Majesty The Queen has withdrawn from attendance at this afternoon’s Requiem Mass for The Duchess of Kent as she is recovering from acute sinusitis. Her thoughts and prayers will be with The Duke of Kent and all the family.”
She was due to attend the requiem mass, a Catholic funeral, alongside the King and other senior royals at Westminster Cathedral this afternoon.
The Duke of Kent has been informed and is said to fully understand Camilla’s decision. He has sent his best wishes for a speedy recovery. The Queen was last pictured attending a Sunday church service at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral, on Sunday. She travelled down from Scotland this morning and is currently en route to Windsor to rest.
The Queen will not be attending the Duchess of Kent’s funeral today (Image: Getty)
Read more: Full details of Duchess of Kent’s funeral today as royals gather to pay respects
The announcement raises doubts over her attendance at US President Donald Trump’s state visit this week, with a busy schedule of engagements starting tomorrow. This includes a ceremonial welcome and glittering state banquet.
But, the Queen is said to hope to have recovered sufficiently to attend all elements of the busy state visit on Wednesday and Thursday.
The Duchess of Kent’s funeral service will take place at Westminster Cathedral this afternoon.
It will be the first Catholic funeral held for a member of the Royal Family since the Reformation. The King will be joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales for the service, which has been hailed as a key moment for ecumenical relations.
The Duchess Of Kent’s Coffin Is Taken To Westminster Cathedral
Last night, her wicker coffin arrived at the Cathedral, having moved from her home at Kensington Palace. It remained there overnight.
Soldiers from The Royal Dragoon Guards have played an important role during her Catholic funeral, which traditionally runs over two days, with a piper leading the funeral cortege and other soldiers carrying the coffin into the cathedral when it arrived on Monday evening.