Queen Camilla’s Son Addressed “Conspiracy Theory” About Her Health

Queen Camilla’s son is addressing speculation over his mom’s ongoing health issues. The royal, who’s been battling an infection since early November, has missed several major events as she continues to recover from pneumonia. After the queen and King Charles both bowed out of Kate Middleton’s highly-anticipated annual “Together At Christmas” carol service on December 6 at Westminster Abbey, Tom Parker Bowles addressed her absences. He credited her extreme work ethic for her lingering symptoms.

While appearing on a December 8 episode of The Go To Food Podcast, Parker Bowles set the record straight while opening up about the “awful bug” she’d contracted. “These things go around,” Parker Bowles told the host, adding that he thinks his mom will be well by the holidays. Parker Bowles was also quick to clarify that there was “no great conspiracy theory” about her health issues.

He explained, “I think … she did the [Australia] tour and she caught some kind of awful bug and then before she was well again, [she] worked too hard as she’s one to do.” However, he revealed he’s confident in a full recovery, telling the host, “She’s tough.”

Parker Bowles isn’t the only person in the queen’s inner circle who’s expressed concern that she’s been running herself ragged. A friend of the queen reportedly told the Daily Beast that they were “all extremely concerned” over Camilla’s diagnosis. “Thank goodness she seems to have recovered,” the source said. “Camilla just needs to rest and recuperate now over Christmas and I only hope they drive her and The King to church on Christmas Day if it’s cold.”

Meanwhile, another source told the publication that despite her condition, Camilla felt extreme pressure to rise to the challenges of royal life, ultimately delaying her recovery.

“People forget that Camilla never set out to be Queen,” they said. “She never signed up for the hamster wheel. She just happened to fall in love with a Prince. She has risen to the demands of the job but she finds it exhausting.”