Queen Camilla did not join King Charles in hospital for “a short period of observation” on March 27 after experiencing side effects from his cancer treatment. King Charles, 76, cancelled his engagements in Birmingham on Friday on medical advice to prioritise his recovery but is now back at Clarence House.
Yesterday, the Queen had a prior engagement, meeting some of ITV’s leading stars at a special reception to celebrate 70 years since the network’s first broadcast – so she was unable to join the King during his hospital visit. Instead, Camilla met TV stars Dermot O Leary, Susannah Reid and Olivia Attwood at the TV network’s celebrations.
Wearing a blue dress, the Queen was first met at Brent Cross Civic Centre by Dame Carolyn McCall, ITV’s chief executive, to meet people who work on the show Trigger Point, before attending a reception party.
According to friends, Queen Camilla has faced one of her most challenging years as she has supported the King through his cancer diagnosis since February last year, with sources revealing she was initially “a little frightened” by the situation.
“He’s the love of her life, her partner, her husband of almost 20 years. Of course, she was scared,” a close friend of the Queen told the Daily Mail.
Speaking of conducting engagements alone, the source added: “Frankly it’s a lonely enough job when there’s two of you. So you can imagine what it’s like when there’s just one of you out on the road.”
The insider added how Camilla was “chief cheerleader” for her husband, while he battled through the early stages of his treatment.
Despite the King’s recent cancellation of engagements today, Charles and Camilla’s state visit to Italy in April is still planned to go ahead as scheduled.
Charles and Camilla will also celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary in Rome with a ceremonial welcome at the Palazzo Quirinale.
The event will feature a special joint flypast over Rome by the Italian Air Force aerobatic team, ‘Frecce Tricolori,’ and the Red Arrows to symbolise the two countries’ close defence relationship.
Their special day will also include a visit to the city’s iconic Colosseum, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a visit to the Italian Parliament, and a black-tie state banquet.
