Queen Camilla observed the two minutes' silence privately at her Wiltshire home, Raymill, after doctors ordered her to miss the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph due to a chest infection. The Queen, who was said to be disappointed not to attend, followed the proceedings live on television.
Her absence meant that Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, stepped in to support the Princess of Wales on the balcony overlooking the service. Royal doctors advised Camilla to rest for a few more days to fully recover from the seasonal bug she caught after her long-haul trip to Australia and Samoa. There was also concern she might pass on the illness to others, with the King still undergoing cancer treatment and Kate recovering from the disease.
Despite her absence, Camilla's wreath was placed at the Cenotaph by her equerry, Major Ollie Plunket of The Rifles. The wreath bore a handwritten tribute reading 'In everlasting remembrance' and signed 'Camilla R'. The ring of poppies closely resembles that used for the Queen Mother, with 95 closed-style poppy petals made from bonded fabric mounted on black leaves. The ribbon across the middle takes its colours from Camilla's racing silk.
Major Plunket placed the wreath to the right of the King's before stepping back to salute the monument. The Queen also missed the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening. She plans to return to London early next week if given medical clearance, with engagements including a Booker Prize event, a Palace reception, and the global premiere of Gladiator II.
