“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.”
In the interim, the Queen rested privately at home under the care of her doctors. The royal schedule shifted, with Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester and King Charles each stepping up at events on Nov. 7 in her stead.
Despite the Queen’s wish to join her family at the weekend’s Remembrance events, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Nov. 9 that the Queen would not be there as she continued recovering from a “seasonal chest infection.”
“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 said.
“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 that there was no cause for concern for the Queen, who was spending the weekend at Ray Mill Wiltshire, her private home in the countryside.
She did not want to pass on any lingering infection to others and was worried that attending the events would prolong her recovery.
King Charles, Prince William and Kate Middleton stepped out together at the Festival of Remembrance on Nov. 10 and Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph war memorial on Nov. 11, staple events on the royal family’s annual calendar to commemorate British and Commonwealth lives lost in war.
On Nov. 12, the day after Remembrance Sunday, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Queen Camilla will not join her husband King Charles on the red carpet later this week, on Nov. 13.
PEOPLE understands that the decision is a precaution and to lighten any strain on the Queen as she gradually resumes public-facing work.
