Queen Camilla pulls out of another event due to illness
There are concerns for Camilla, 77, as she continues to battle an illness that has lingered her since her tour of Australia.
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Ongoing health issues have forced Queen Camilla to pull out of another major public appearance.
The royal, 77, is understood to still be battling side effects of a viral chest infection following her tour of Australia.
Camilla and King Charles were due to welcome The Emir of Qatar and his wife Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani for a State Visit to the UK on Tuesday local time.
However the palace program shows Camilla will miss both the ceremonial welcome and the carriage ride.
Camilla will join the Emir and his wife for lunch and may view a display in the gallery.
She is due to attend the state banquet in the evening and group photo.
But she will take a short break before dinner while guests are greeted in the meeting line.
Camilla missed her annual visit to the Field of Remembrance on November 7 and a Buckingham Palace reception for Olympic and Paralympic after she was ordered by doctors to stay at home and rest.
Meanwhile, Princess Catherine will take part in the state visit – her first since her cancer diagnosis.
Catherine and Prince William will meet the Emir and his wife in London, and accompany them to the parade ground to meet the King and senior government figures.
Charles, Catherine, William and their guests will also take part in a carriage ride back to Buckingham Palace, attend lunch and visit a Picture Gallery exhibition in the royal residence.
Catherine will not be attending the banquet.
DO’S AND DON'TS OF CHRISTMAS AT SANDRINGHAM
Christmas Day is, for many of us, a time when we come together with our families to feast on seasonal specialties, overindulge, and flop in front of the TV.
But for one famous family, Christmas Day looks very different.
Royal expert Jennie Bond told The Sun the Royal Family likes to do things differently, and some of the customs we might enjoy at home are actually banned at Sandringham.
Bond, a former royal correspondent of over 35 years, said that while King Charles has “loosened up” the Christmas Day rules since the late Queen Elizabeth’s passing, there are still many must do's – and must don’ts – that the royals must adhere to.
“I can’t quite picture the royal family sprawled on settees in slippers and slouch pants, guzzling booze and chocolates like the rest of us,” said Bond. “A certain degree of decorum is still required.”
Here are the nine main rules of a Christmas at Sandringham as explained by Jennie Bond.
1. Don’t go to bed before the King
“Even if he does decide to not work on Christmas Day, his body clock may be out of sync from all of the late nights he has, and he will be awake late anyway,” said Bond.
2. Don’t be late!
While many of us take a relaxed approach to Christmas Day, lateness is frowned upon at the Norfolk estate and according to Jennie, punctuality is key.
“You don’t just turn up at Sandringham when you feel like it,” said Bond. “Guests should arrive at the time they are expected, not before and not after.”
3. No casual wear allowed
Baggy clothing and even pyjamas are often the outfits of choice for a Christmas Day food binge, but no such attire will be seen in the grounds of Sandringham.
Bond says there is a strict dress code for the royals, and this includes on Christmas Eve.
“The royals have a black-tie dinner every year on Christmas Eve, so guests should be prepared,” she said.
“Then on Christmas Day, royals should be suitably dressed for church and then for lunch in the dining room.
“While this isn’t black tie, don’t expect the royals to be in loungewear!”
4. Expensive gifts are frowned upon
Contrary to what we might expect about a royal Christmas, there are no diamonds under the tree.
The family are known to give each other joke gifts. Kate Middleton once gave Harry a Grow Your Own Girlfriend kit, while Princess Anne once gifted her older brother Charles a leather toilet seat.
Meanwhile, Prince William reportedly once gave his grandmother, the late Queen, a pair of slippers with her face on them.
“The name of the game is to buy cheap, witty presents,” Bond said.
“The gifts are to make people laugh, not to be expensive.
“These gifts are opened on Christmas Eve, a German tradition the family have adhered to for many decades.”
5. Church is compulsory
All members of the royal family who are spending the festivities at Sandringham are expected to be present at the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church, which sits on the Norfolk estate.
“There’s no complaining about going to church on Christmas morning, it’s a tradition that dates back for many years,” Bond said.
“It’s also the highlight for many people who either go to Sandringham or watch on TV who all want to see the family walking to and from the service.”
6. Kids dine separately
According to Mike Tindall, wife of the King’s niece Zara, there are often around 70 guests invited to Christmas lunch.
“There are seven tables and then the kiddies have their own little one in a different room,” said Bond.
Former royal chef Darren McGrady, who worked for both the late Queen and Princess Diana, explained that the children “aren’t allowed to sit with the adults until they have learned the art of polite conversation.”
7. Board games are banned
“Don’t suggest playing Monopoly, it’s banned!” Bond said. “The late Queen thought it was too vicious” and instead the royals prefer a game of charades which is “a royal favourite.”
“They also play a card game called Racing Demon, which can be very intense and competitive.”
8. Don’t get drunk
“The finest champagne and wines will be served, but none of the royals are heavy drinkers anyway,” said Bond.
Still, there is one golden rule: “You are not to get legless.”
9. No TV or Netflix
On Christmas Day, the late Queen allowed the TV on for 10 minutes for the family to watch her speech, but it’s believed the King is not a fan of everyone watching his, so these days the TV doesn’t go on at all on Christmas Day.
“The King likes the family to be together on Christmas Day and enjoy each other’s company,” said Bond.
‘DARKEST TIMES’: KATE’S EMOTIONAL LETTER
Princess Catherine, 42, penned a letter to those invited to her Christmas carol concert, after taking time off from royal duties this year to have treatment for cancer.
The Princess of Wales said: “The Christmas story encourages us to consider the experiences and feelings of others.
“It encourages us to turn to love.
“It is this love which is the greatest gift we can receive.
“Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times.”
Families and survivors of the Southport stabbing attack, which claimed the lives of three little girls, will also attend.
The families will be welcomed to London for three days, with transport and accommodation provided by Southport Stronger Together.
The Princess of Wales will reunite with the Southport survivors at Westminster Abbey on December 6.
The Sun reports rugby player Rob Burrow’s widow Lindsey and former Olympic champion cyclist Sir Chris Hoy — who has terminal cancer — will light candles at the service in Westminster Abbey on Friday.
It will be the royal mum of three’s first Together At Christmas celebration since completing chemotherapy.
Some 1600 invites have been sent out, with the princess keen to celebrate individuals who have inspired, counselled, comforted — and “above all else shown that love is the greatest gift we can receive”.
A source said: “It promises to be an incredible, life-affirming night and there’s been a lot of organisation involved to get it all ready.”
Announcing the concert, a Palace spokesman said: “This year’s service provides a moment to reflect upon the importance of love and empathy, and how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives.
“The service will shine a light on individuals from all over the UK who have shown love, kindness and empathy towards others in their communities.
“This year, Her Royal Highness wanted to celebrate the many people supporting those in need — individuals who have inspired, counselled, comforted, and above all else shown that love is the greatest gift we can receive.
“This theme takes inspiration from the Christmas story which encourages us to consider the experiences of others and the important human need of giving and receiving empathy.”
The King, Queen Camilla and William are all expected at the concert, to be aired on ITV on Christmas Eve.
The royal carol concert will feature performances by star singers Olivia Dean, Gregory Porter and Paloma Faith.
A decision on whether Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, attend will likely be taken on the day, it is understood.
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Originally published as Queen Camilla pulls out of another event due to illness
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