Queen Camilla, who supports her husband King Charles during his health struggles, has certainly faced her own share of health challenges over the years. The couple, having recently marked their 19th wedding anniversary, remain a resilient team. Yet, Camilla’s journey has been marked by a series of health issues that many can relate to.
Reflecting upon her lifetime, Queen Camilla’s experiences are a mix of highs and lows. At 76 years old, with a bustling schedule, it is not surprising that she has faced several health challenges. At times, reports of her struggles while on royal duty have caused quite a stir, showcasing the real vulnerabilities even royals face.
A crusader for osteoporosis awareness, Camilla became the Royal Osteoporosis Society’s president in 2001, having made her first donation back in 1997. Her dedication to combating osteoporosis stems deeply from her family’s history. This disease makes bones fragile and more prone to breaks from minor incidents like bending or coughing, as explained by the Mayo Clinic.
“Bone is living tissue that is constantly being broken down and replaced. Osteoporosis occurs when the creation of new bone doesn’t keep up with the loss of old bone,” they explain, emphasizing the importance of bone health management.
Queen Camilla’s Family Ties to Osteoporosis
Queen Camilla has seen the harsh realities of osteoporosis firsthand. In 1994, she lost her mother to complications from this condition, and her grandmother also passed away due to the same. In a poignant 2019 speech at the Royal Osteoporosis Society, Camilla shared how deeply these losses affected her.
“It was 25 years ago that my mother died as a result of osteoporosis,” Camilla shared, recounting how such conditions were often undiagnosed and dismissed as merely part of old age.
Her personal connection to this illness raises important concerns about her own health. With a family history like hers, her own risk factors for osteoporosis are significant, as pointed out by the Mayo Clinic.
In an interview, David Wiener, a fitness expert from the coaching app Freeletics, noted that Camilla wisely engages in yoga and Pilates, suggesting these are excellent exercises to improve muscle strength and bone health at her age.
According to Wiener, such practices can greatly benefit older adults, reducing the risk of muscle pain and fostering mobility and strength – all essential for maintaining well-being as the years advance.
Similarly, both Camilla and Charles enjoy walking with their dogs or across countryside terrains, which Wiener highlights as a superb way to stay active without putting undue strain on the body.
Walking, with its gentle demands on the body, offers comprehensive health benefits—including fitness improvements and mental wellness—which are as vital as physical health.
The Importance of Staying Active in Later Years
Queen Camilla has spoken candidly about how exercise has helped her maintain an active lifestyle. On a visit to Singapore in 2017, she outlined the various ways yoga and Pilates have become integral to her routine, enhancing flexibility and energy.
“It’s very good for you yoga, isn’t it?” she mused. “It’s very good for you as you get older, it makes you less stiff – good for your muscles. I think it’s very important as you get older to take exercise and stretch. I do a bit of yoga. A bit of yoga and a bit of Pilates.”
Nevertheless, osteoporosis isn’t Queen Camilla’s only health hurdle. Throughout the years, she has grappled with chronic sinusitis, an ailment which, in 2021, led to her missing several events during the annual Armistice Day celebrations.
Previously, in 2012, a bout of sinusitis required her to cancel multiple engagements, highlighting the recurring nature of this condition.
While not always necessitating hospitalization, Queen Camilla has had occasions when medical care was unavoidable. In 2007, she underwent a hysterectomy, though this procedure paled in comparison to another health scare in 2010.
That year, a misstep during a walk near Balmoral resulted in a fractured leg that required hospitalization in Aberdeen, emphasizing the perils even everyday activities can present.
A Tumble on the Scottish Moors
The incident in Scotland, where Queen Camilla slipped and broke her fibula in slippery conditions, was a stark reminder of the unpredictability of health incidents.
“She was walking in slippery conditions in Scotland, and took a tumble,” her spokesperson explained.
The doctors’ advice led her to wear a cast and avoid putting weight on her injured leg for six weeks, yet she remained determined to fulfill her royal duties as planned.
An account by writer Bob Colacello, shared in Vanity Fair, mentioned how two kind locals helped Camilla during this ordeal, transporting her to the hospital and maintaining discretion about the incident.
“They were so kind,” Camilla reportedly said, appreciatively recalling the assistance and confidentiality shown by these Good Samaritans.
As 2024 progresses, the royal family faces numerous challenges, nearly two years since Queen Elizabeth’s passing.
Amidst her personal tribulations, including mourning and health pains, Camilla remains steadfast in her royal obligations.
Not long before Queen Elizabeth passed, during a tour of the UK with Charles, Camilla endured significant discomfort due to a broken toe, an injury sustained while staying at Raymill, her Wiltshire home.
Perseverance Through Pain
Even under considerable discomfort, described by some as “unfortunate timing,” Camilla exhibited her typical strength by continuing her public duties without pause.
Despite the inherent challenges of standing and engaging socially while injured, Camilla managed to perform all ceremonies and interactions with grace.
Camilla’s resilience, whether facing sudden health scares or enduring ongoing conditions, showcases her unwavering dedication to both her family and her royal duties.