King Charles was pictured in a beautiful moment receiving flowers from an eight-year-old girl on behalf of Queen Camilla.
During the Royal Variety Performance, the monarch smiled as he accepted a posy meant for his wife from Iris King-Taylor, eight, and Louie Cooper, ten.
These included flowers picked from the gardens of Brinsworth House, the Royal Variety Charity care home in Twickenham, south-west London, which mirrored those worn by the Queen on her wedding day.
Camilla, 77, was due to attend but had to pull out at the last minute after still suffering from some ‘lingering post-viral symptoms’ due to a nasty chest infection.
It’s clear that while she is very much ‘on the road to recovery’, it may take some time for these things to become fully clear.
Given the length and lateness of last night’s engagement, sources said, she “wisely” decided to heed medical advice so as not to “overload” herself.
It is understood she will remain in London until Saturday but will then travel to Sandringham for a week as planned.
Insiders insisted there was no cause for alarm, describing it as ‘a nasty bug that’s apparently going around a bit’.
King Charles was pictured in a beautiful moment receiving flowers from eight-year-old girl Iris King-Taylor on behalf of Queen Camilla
The monarch also accepted a posy meant for his wife from Louie Cooper, ten
King Charles meets Iris King-Taylor and Louie Cooper, children of Royal Variety supporters
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: ‘Following a recent respiratory infection, the Queen continues to experience some persistent post-viral symptoms, as a result of which doctors have advised that Her Majesty should prioritize adequate rest following a busy week of engagements.
‘It is therefore with great regret that she has withdrawn from taking part in tonight’s Royal Variety Performance. His Majesty will attend as planned.”
It is said that she still feels a little bad, but overall she is. recovering.
A royal source said Her Majesty was ‘naturally disappointed to have missed the evening’s entertainment’, and sincerely apologizes to all involved but is strongly in favor of ‘the show must go on’.
“She hopes to be back at full strength soon and be able to fulfill her regular public duties,” she added.
The Royal Variety Show – an annual feature of the Buckingham Palace calendar – is the world’s longest-running entertainment show, dating back to 1912.
Charles is shown smiling and waving to the crowd at the Royal Albert Hall
The king exited the royal Rolls Royce as he waved to the crowd at the entrance of the hall
Elton John and David Furnish smile as they meet the monarch after greeting him
It supports the Royal Variety Charity which helps members of the entertainment industry in Britain who need help and assistance, including those who have fallen on hard times or need mental health support.
This is His Majesty’s first year as Patron of the Royal Variety Charity.
The stars of this year’s show include performances from the new productions of Oliver and The Devil Wears Prada, a song from Sydney Christmas – the winner of this year’s Britain’s Got Talent program whose prize is to perform live – plus magical duo Penn & Teller.
The Royal Variety Performance 2024 will be broadcast on TV during the Christmas and New Year holidays.