Where Was Queen Camilla? Why She Wasn’t Standing Beside Kate Middleton on Remembrance Sunday

The Queen missed the royal family's second major event of the weekend to commemorate Remembrance

Queen Camilla was absent from multiple royal family events amid her recovery from a chest infection.

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 However, Queen Camilla was notably absent, having withdrawn from all royal engagements this week and weekend due to her ongoing illness.

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

“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 read.

"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, standing beside Kate. The two were spotted sharing a brief conversation during the solemn event. As they made their way back into the building after the ceremony, Sophie was seen gently placing a protective arm around Kate.

This weekend’s events marked Kate's first official outing alongside the royal family in months. In September, she revealed that she had completed chemotherapy, which she began in February following her cancer diagnosis.

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

On Nov. 5, Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen, 77, was ill with a chest infection and regretfully 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 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."

Related: Queen Camilla Pulls Out of Outing Due to Chest Infection as Royal Family Member Steps in for Rare Appearance

Queen Camilla took time to privately rest at home under the care of her doctors, and other members of the family filled in in her stead. Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester represented the Queen at the Field of Remembrance event at Westminster Abbey on Nov. 7, an annual event organized by The Poppy Factory charity Camilla supports as patron, and King Charles pivoted to host a reception solo for British athletes who medaled at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympic Games.

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Commemorating Remembrance events around Armistice Day on Nov. 11, otherwise known as Veteran's Day in the U.S., is an important tradition for the British royals, as the monarch is 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, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester and Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent.