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

Mar. 15, 2025

Queen Camilla at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London on Nov. 12, 2023.Photo:Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty

Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty

Queen Camillawas absent from multiple royal family events amid her recovery from achest infection.

On Nov. 11,King Charles,Prince William,Kate Middleton, who recently completedchemotherapy 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 However, Queen Camilla was notably absent, having withdrawn from all royal engagements this week and weekend due to her ongoing illness.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.

“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.

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh on a balcony at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph on Nov. 10, 2024 in London.Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty

Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty

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.

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.”

Jordan Pettitt/PA Images via Getty

Members of the royal family during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London. Picture date: Sunday November 10, 2024.James Manning/PA Images via Getty

James Manning/PA Images via Getty

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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.

source: people.com