Queen Camilla joined King Charles in Antigua and Barbuda days after his autumn tour began, with royal sources pointing to the Caribbean heat and her dislike of long-haul flying as the reasons for her delayed arrival.
The royal couple reunited ahead of this year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Until Saturday, Charles had completed the first two legs of his Caribbean tour alone, spending five days on engagements across the Bahamas and Guyana.
While Camilla was never scheduled to attend the first half of the trip, royal watchers questioned her late arrival.
Heat and travel cited for absence
Speaking on HELLO!'s A Right Royal Podcast, Royal Editor Emily Nash explained the Queen's absence, citing the intense Caribbean climate and the demands of international travel.
Ms Nash said: "We know she's going to be 77 next year. She doesn't love long-haul travel. She, I think, finds being out in the heat all day quite draining, and it's tough for most people who are out working in the early 30 degrees all day long."
The heat was only part of the story. Camilla's reported nervousness around flying is well documented, and skipping the first leg meant avoiding repeated air travel between the island nations.
A long-standing fear of flying
It is a phobia she has battled for years. In April 2018, she left a tour of Australia early, with a Clarence House spokesman admitting at the time that she "does not like flying but I think she has to sometimes embrace that fear."
Now safely arrived and adjusting to the climate, the Queen will remain by the King's side for the CHOGM events in St. John's, while also taking on a packed diary of her own engagements.
