Britain's Queen Camilla to miss annual show with illness

Britain's Queen Camilla pulled out of one of the royals' most high-profile annual events on Friday night as she continues to experience the effects of a chest infection that she suffered earlier this month, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said.

Camilla, 77, was due to attend the Royal Variety Performance at London's Royal Albert Hall with husband King Charles, but he will now go to the charity entertainment show alone.

"The queen continues to experience some lingering post-viral symptoms, as a result of which doctors have advised that, after a busy week of engagements, Her Majesty should prioritise sufficient rest," the spokesperson said.

A chest infection in the first week of November forced Camilla to cancel events for several days, but she had since returned to official duties.

A royal source said there was no cause for alarm but that, given the length and lateness of the show, she had decided to heed medical advice not to overstretch herself.

The queen was "naturally disappointed to miss the evening's entertainments, and sends her sincere apologies to all those involved, but is a great believer that 'the show must go on'," the source added.

"She hopes to be back to full strength and regular public duties very soon."

Camilla will remain in London on Friday but will go to the royal couple's Sandringham home in eastern England next week as planned.

The Royal Variety Show, which supports a charity helping members of the entertainment industry, has been held since 1912, making it the world's longest running entertainment show, according to Buckingham Palace.