Queen Camilla Shines in Tiara at State Banquet amid Pneumonia Recovery, While Kate Middleton Bows Out

Mar. 15, 2025

Queen Camilla (left) and Kate Middleton on Dec. 3.Photo:AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty; Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty

AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty; Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty

Queen Camillalooked vibrant in red at the Buckingham Palace state dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 3, held in honor of the Amir of Qatar, after missing the arrival ceremony earlier in the day while she recovers from pneumonia.Last month, Buckingham Palace said Queen Camilla canceled multiple eventsdue to a chest infection, including Remembrance events.It is understood that she is recovering well, but continues experiencing episodic symptoms of post-viral fatigue from the chest infection. She told guests at the palace Tuesday thatthe recent infection was a form of pneumonia.King Charlesand Camilla, 77, hosted Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, at the palace on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Camilla posed for photos with the Amir and Sheikha Jawaher, but left during the receiving line. She is expected to attend the dinner and farewells during the final day of the state visit.(left to right): Queen Camilla, Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani of Qatar, King Charles, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim al-Thani.AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via GettyCamilla wore a red velvet Fiona Clare evening dress and the diamond Kokoshnik tiara, perThe Telegraph. She accessorized with a necklace that previously belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II.The Queen was seen earlier in the day in good spirits when she arrived at Buckingham Palace to meet the Qatari delegation for a luncheon and viewing objects with links to Qatar.While other royal family members attended, including Prince William,Kate Middletonskipped the dinner. However,Kate did help welcome the quests of honor earlier in the day. ThePrincess of Wales, 42, recently completed chemotherapy andhas slowly returned to royal duties.In his speech, King Charles, 76, said the evening “may be seen as a homecoming,” as the Amir studied in the U.K.“Just as our parents served and worked hard to confront the challenges of their ages, so too must we,” Charles said. “And at such times of uncertainty and upheaval, old friendships assume ever greater importance.”(left to right) Princess Anne, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani of Qatar, King Charles, Queen Camilla.JORDAN PETTITT/POOL/AFP via GettyCan’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!The state dinner was also a first forDavid Beckhamand his wife, Victoria Beckham. The former soccer star, 49, served as an ambassador for the 2022 World Cup hosted in Qatar and was recentlymade an ambassadorfor The King’s Foundation.(left to right): Queen Camilla, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim al-Thani of Qatar, Prince William.AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via GettyAfter announcing her infection on Nov. 5, Queen Camilla skipped theGladiator IIpremiere on Nov. 13 and the Royal Variety Performance on Nov. 22. During a reception at Clarence House on Nov. 12, she said she was “obviously getting much better, bit of sort of coughing going on.”On Wednesday, Dec. 4, Queen Camilla is scheduled to appear at the Entente Littéraire Prize Ceremony with Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France, in London.

Queen Camillalooked vibrant in red at the Buckingham Palace state dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 3, held in honor of the Amir of Qatar, after missing the arrival ceremony earlier in the day while she recovers from pneumonia.

Last month, Buckingham Palace said Queen Camilla canceled multiple eventsdue to a chest infection, including Remembrance events.It is understood that she is recovering well, but continues experiencing episodic symptoms of post-viral fatigue from the chest infection. She told guests at the palace Tuesday thatthe recent infection was a form of pneumonia.

King Charlesand Camilla, 77, hosted Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, at the palace on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Camilla posed for photos with the Amir and Sheikha Jawaher, but left during the receiving line. She is expected to attend the dinner and farewells during the final day of the state visit.

(left to right): Queen Camilla, Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani of Qatar, King Charles, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim al-Thani.AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty

AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty

Camilla wore a red velvet Fiona Clare evening dress and the diamond Kokoshnik tiara, perThe Telegraph. She accessorized with a necklace that previously belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The Queen was seen earlier in the day in good spirits when she arrived at Buckingham Palace to meet the Qatari delegation for a luncheon and viewing objects with links to Qatar.

While other royal family members attended, including Prince William,Kate Middletonskipped the dinner. However,Kate did help welcome the quests of honor earlier in the day. ThePrincess of Wales, 42, recently completed chemotherapy andhas slowly returned to royal duties.

In his speech, King Charles, 76, said the evening “may be seen as a homecoming,” as the Amir studied in the U.K.

“Just as our parents served and worked hard to confront the challenges of their ages, so too must we,” Charles said. “And at such times of uncertainty and upheaval, old friendships assume ever greater importance.”

(left to right) Princess Anne, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani of Qatar, King Charles, Queen Camilla.JORDAN PETTITT/POOL/AFP via Getty

JORDAN PETTITT/POOL/AFP via Getty

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

The state dinner was also a first forDavid Beckhamand his wife, Victoria Beckham. The former soccer star, 49, served as an ambassador for the 2022 World Cup hosted in Qatar and was recentlymade an ambassadorfor The King’s Foundation.

(left to right): Queen Camilla, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim al-Thani of Qatar, Prince William.AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty

After announcing her infection on Nov. 5, Queen Camilla skipped theGladiator IIpremiere on Nov. 13 and the Royal Variety Performance on Nov. 22. During a reception at Clarence House on Nov. 12, she said she was “obviously getting much better, bit of sort of coughing going on.”

On Wednesday, Dec. 4, Queen Camilla is scheduled to appear at the Entente Littéraire Prize Ceremony with Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France, in London.

source: people.com