Queen Camilla Withdraws From Duchess of Kent’s Requiem While Recovering From Sinusitis Ahead of Trump State Visit
Buckingham Palace says the queen is resting at Windsor and intends to take part in President Trump’s state visit pending recovery; King Charles and senior royals attended the service at Westminster Cathedral.
Queen Camilla withdrew from the Requiem Mass for Katharine, Duchess of Kent on Tuesday after Buckingham Palace said she was recovering from acute sinusitis, but the palace said she intends to take part in President Donald Trump’s state visit pending her recovery.
"With great regret, Her Majesty The Queen has withdrawn from attendance at this afternoon’s Requiem Mass for The Duchess of Kent as she is recovering from acute sinusitis," Buckingham Palace said in a statement. "Her thoughts and prayers will be with The Duke of Kent and all the family."
The queen had travelled from Scotland to London on Tuesday to honour Katharine, who died earlier this month at the age of 92. King Charles III and other senior members of the royal family attended the service at Westminster Cathedral. Buckingham Palace said the queen was resting at Windsor after withdrawing from the ceremony.
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump are due to begin a three-day state visit to the United Kingdom on Wednesday, with formal events scheduled from Sept. 17 through Sept. 19. The visit will open with an official greeting at Windsor Castle by the Prince and Princess of Wales, who are expected to accompany the couple to meet King Charles and Queen Camilla.
A palace aide said previously that "His Majesty has known President Trump for many years and looks forward to hosting him and the first lady later this year." In July, Buckingham Palace announced that the Trumps would pay a state visit to the U.K., a visit formalised by a manu regia — a sovereign's written invitation — signed by the king and hand-delivered to the White House.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital that the Princess of Wales will play a central role in welcoming the presidential party and supporting the monarch during the visit. British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard said the Waleses are expected to make high-profile appearances and that the events would showcase Catherine's increased public duties.
Buckingham Palace said that, pending her recovery, the queen plans to attend all elements of the state visit. The palace did not provide a timetable for her return to public duties beyond the visit commitment. The duchess's funeral at Westminster Cathedral drew members of the royal family and other dignitaries; the service follows Katharine's death earlier this month at age 92.
The announcement that the queen would miss the funeral came as royal aides and organisers finalised plans for the state visit, which includes ceremonial and working engagements at Windsor and elsewhere. The king's hosting responsibilities will include formal receptions and meetings with President Trump and the first lady.
Officials have regularly said state visits are of "utmost importance" to Britain and involve a tightly choreographed schedule, including palace-hosted events and public ceremonial duties. The palace statement underlining the queen's withdrawal emphasised her well-wishes for the Duke of Kent and his family and indicated that her absence from the Mass was due to medical advice as she recovers from a short-term illness.
No further medical details were disclosed by the palace. The state visit is expected to proceed as planned, with the Prince and Princess of Wales playing significant roles in the public-facing elements should the queen remain unavailable for parts of the programme.