Queen Camilla has been absent from several royal family events amid her recovery from a chest infection.

On November 11, King Charles, Prince William, Kate Middletonwhich recently completed chemotherapy treatmentand other members of the royal family gathered at the Cenotaph war memorial in London for Remembrance Sunday, honoring those who died in the conflict. However, Queen Camilla was notably absent, pulling out of all royal engagements this week and the weekend due to her ongoing illness.

In a statement on November 9, Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen would not be joining the royal family at key Remembrance events.

“Following doctors’ advice to ensure a full recovery from a seasonal chest infection and to protect others from any potential risk, Her Majesty will not be attending this weekend’s Remembrance events,” the statement said.

“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 added.

Camilla is usually seen alongside Kate on the balcony above the Cenotaph, but this year Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh took her place, sitting next to Kate. The two were seen sharing a brief conversation during the solemn event. As they walked back into the building after the ceremony, Sophie was seen gently putting a protective arm around Kate.

This weekend’s events marked Kate’s first official outing with the royal family in months. In September, she revealed that she had finished chemotherapy, which she started in February after her cancer diagnosis.

Camilla has appeared at the Cenotaph event almost every year since she married King Charles in 2005, with the few exceptions being when the couple were on royal tours.

On November 5, Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen, 77, was ill with a chest infection and unfortunately had to cancel her engagements for the rest of the week.

“Her Majesty the Queen is currently unwell with a chest infection for which her doctors have recommended a short period of rest,” the palace statement said. “It is with great regret that Her Majesty has therefore had to withdraw from her engagements for this week, but very much hopes that she will be recovered in time to attend this weekend’s Remembrance events as normal. Apologies to anyone who may be disappointed or disappointed as a result”.

Queen Camilla has taken time to rest at home under the care of her doctors and other family members have taken her place. Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester represented the Queen at the Field of Remembrance event at Westminster Abbey on November 7, an annual event organized by the charity The Poppy Factory, which Camilla supports as patron, and King Charles turned to host a solo reception for British athletes who have achieved medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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Commemorating the Remembrance events around Armistice Day on November 11, otherwise known as Veteran’s Day in the US, is an important tradition for the British royals as the monarch is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

This year, the solemn service was attended by the King, 75, the Prince and Princess of Wales, both 42, Prince Edward, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince RichardDuke of Gloucester, Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester and Prince EdwardDuke of Kent.