Queen Camilla may be forced to miss parts of Donald Trump’s state visit after a sudden health setback put the royal household on edge.
The timing couldn’t be more awkward. Just hours before Air Force One touched down in London, Camilla pulled out of the funeral of the Duchess of Kent, citing “acute sinusitis.” Buckingham Palace stressed she is “recovering” but stopped short of confirming her attendance at every event linked to the US president’s visit. Instead, officials would only say she “hopes” to be present.
That phrasing immediately set social media alight with speculation that she might be trying to dodge photographs with Trump. A friend of Camilla dismissed the idea, telling the Daily Beast there was “no way” she would snub him and that she would never want to let King Charles down.
Camilla had only just returned from Scotland, where she and Charles had spent several weeks, before heading to Windsor on Tuesday. The funeral she missed was for the Duchess of Kent, the Catholic royal who famously stepped away from royal life to work as a music teacher. A message from Pope Leo was read during the service.
Among those present was Prince Andrew, whose attendance highlighted yet another difficulty for King Charles as he continues his own battle with cancer.
In a statement released just before the funeral, Buckingham Palace said, “With great regret, Her Majesty The Queen has withdrawn from attendance at this afternoon’s Requiem Mass for The Duchess of Kent as she is recovering from acute sinusitis.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.”
The palace added that Camilla “hopes to have recovered sufficiently to attend all elements of the State Visit and this week’s other engagements in what is scheduled to be a very busy program.” Still, making her illness public now raises the possibility that, if she skips the public side of Trump’s visit, it could be seen as more than just poor health.
This state visit is expected to be intense, with the president and First Lady Melania Trump spending a full 24 hours at Windsor Castle as guests of the royals. Much of the itinerary, though, is behind closed doors, limiting the opportunities for public appearances and photographs.
Asked whether Camilla might be creating an excuse in advance to avoid Trump, her friend insisted otherwise. “There is no way she would shirk her duty. She knows how important this is to the government and her husband. Her job is supporting him.”
For now, all eyes remain on Buckingham Palace to see whether Camilla’s “hopes” will turn into actual appearances at what promises to be one of the most closely watched state visits of the year.
