Queen Camilla has pulled out of tonight’s Royal Variety Performance as she continues to recover from a chest infection.

The 77-year-old made the decision on the advice of her doctors after experiencing ‘lingering’ symptoms.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: ‘Following a recent chest infection, The Queen continues to experience some lingering post-viral symptoms, as a result of which doctors have advised that, after a busy week of engagements, Her Majesty should prioritise sufficient rest.

‘With great regret, she has therefore withdrawn from attendance at tonight’s Royal Variety Performance. His Majesty will attend as planned.’

It is understood that while she is very much ‘on the road to recovery’, these things can take time to fully clear.

Given the length and lateness of tonight’s engagement, she has, sources said, ‘sensibly’ decided to heed medical advice that there is a risk when recovering patients overstretch themselves.

It is understood that she will remain in London tonight but will travel to Sandringham for the week ahead as always planned.

They insisted there was no cause for alarm, describing it as ‘a nasty bug that apparently is going around a bit’.

She is said to be feeling a little under the weather still but generally speaking on the mend.

A royal source said Her Majesty was ‘naturally disappointed to miss the evening’s entertainments, and sends her sincere apologies to all those involved, but is a great believer that ‘the show must go on’.

‘She hopes to be back to full strength and regular public duties very soon.’

The Queen’s latest public appearance was yesterday where she greeted pop royalty during a reception for her Commonwealth Essay Competition.

Former Spice Girl Geri Horner, 52, beamed as she made an appearance at the event, hosted by the King’s wife.

The pair had joined forces to highlight some of the Commonwealth’s most talented young writers.

Camilla announced the winners of this year’s The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition at the event.

And former Spice Girl Geri, looking stylish in a thick white wintry coat, as she attended as an ambassador for the Royal Commonwealth Society.

The Queen contracted the chest infection earlier this month, forcing her to miss the Remembrance Sunday Service.

She was subsequently forced to pull out of attending the global premier of Gladiator II with the King and a later birthday event with him.

Her first engagement since falling ill was a reception for the Booker Prize Foundation on November 12.

Arriving in the Garden Room at Clarence House, Her Majesty was immediately asked how she was feeling by Gaby Wood, the charity’s chief executive.

‘I’m getting much better,’ she said. ‘Bit of sort of coughing going on but I really wanted to be here.’

At the time, a source said she had also ‘tweaked’ her diary this week to ‘protect and prioritise’ her continued recovery, with royal doctors keen to prevent any setback from the seasonal illness.