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

The 77-year-old queen returned to her royal duties on November 12, a week after the palace shared news of her illness, which prompted her to cancel scheduled engagements. As she continued her recovery, she also quit joining the royal family for the Commemoration events on the weekend to prioritize his health.

During a reception at Clarence House for the Booker Prize Foundation, she shared an update on how she was feeling.

“Obviously I’m getting a lot better, I’ve got a kind of cough,” the queen remarked in a video. distributed on X of Daily Mail royal correspondent Rebecca English on November 12, who caught her talking to a guest upon arrival.

“I really wanted to come,” she added of the event, which was held at her Clarence House home in London.

In another clip shared XCamilla is heard saying: ‘I’m on the mend, these things always take a while to get over. You think you’ve got rid of them, they just hold on a little,” as she spoke to American author Percival Everett, whose book James is shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize.

“But I hope I’m on the mend now. Good to see you again,” she added.

Literacy is a heartfelt cause for King Charleshis wife, who has supported many literary organizations, including the Booker Prize, and is known to be an avid reader. She appeared at the engagement ahead of the Booker Prize 2024 ceremony, which takes place in London tonight.

Although she attended Tuesday’s event, Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Queen Camilla will not be accompanying King Charles on the red carpet for Gladiator II the premiere of the film on Wednesday, November 13. PEOPLE understands this decision was taken as a precaution, easing his transition back into public duties without further effort.

The outing at Clarence House marked Queen Camilla’s return to work after the palace announced on November 5 that she had come down with a chest infection and would cancel 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 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.”

Meanwhile, the Queen rested privately at home under the care of her doctors. The royal program has changed, with Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester and King Charles, each speaking at the events on 7 November in her place.

Despite the Queen’s desire to join her family at the weekend’s Remembrance events, Buckingham Palace confirmed on November 9 that the Queen it wouldn’t be there while she continued to recover from a “seasonal chest infection”.

“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.

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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 there was no cause for concern for the Queen, who was spending the weekend at Ray Mill Wiltshire, her private country home.

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

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

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

PEOPLE understands the decision is a precaution and to ease any pressure on the Queen as she gradually resumes working in front of the public.