Queen Camilla has chest infection: Buckingham Palace

Queen Camilla, wife of King Charles, has been forced to pull out of her planned engagements this week after suffering a chest infection, Buckingham Palace says.

Camilla, 77, is resting at home while she recovers but no further details of her illness have been given - as is usual with royal medical issues.

"Her Majesty The Queen is currently unwell with a chest infection, for which her doctors have advised a short period of rest," a palace spokesperson 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."

The illness means Camilla, Charles's second wife who he married in 2005, will miss this year's Field of Remembrance event at London's Westminster Abbey on Thursday which allows former service personnel and others to plant a poppy memorial to remember those who have lost their lives in the armed forces.

She will also be unable to attend a reception for Olympic and Paralympic medal winners from this year's Paris Games.

"She apologises to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result," the palace spokesperson said.

Her place will be taken by the Duchess of Gloucester.

Chest infections - an infection of the lungs or large airways - are common, especially after a cold or flu during autumn and winter.

Most chest infections are mild and clear up on their own, others can be severe and sometimes even life threatening.

The most common symptoms of a chest infection include a persistent cough, wheezing, breathlessness, a high temperature, coughing up phlegm, a rapid heart rate and chest pain or tightness.

People may also experience headaches, aching muscles and tiredness.

To ease symptoms people are advised to get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids.

The main types of chest infections are bronchitis and pneumonia.

The King himself is still undergoing treatment for cancer which was diagnosed back in February, forcing him to cut back on some of his engagements although he recently travelled with Camilla to Australia and Samoa.

The couple enjoyed a stopover at a holistic health centre in India on the way back.

"On behalf of the whole country, I wish Her Majesty the Queen a speedy recovery," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on X.

The Press Association said it was understood to be a seasonal illness, which could have been picked up during Camilla's long-haul travels, but it is not COVID-19.

with PA