Queen Camilla will not be attending the Royal Variety Performance on Friday, following lingering symptoms from a recent chest infection.

Doctors have advised the Queen – who is 77 – to prioritise rest as she continues to recover from her infection that resulted in her pulling out from many scheduled events including Remembrance Sunday.

She returned to public duties last week, but is understood to still be under the weather after a busy week of engagements.

On Wednesday the Queen appeared at an event at the University of London, where she was presented with an honorary doctorate of literature by Princess Anne.

A Palace source said the Queen is disappointed to be missing the evening’s entertainment held annually at the Royal Albert Hall in London, but that she is a firm believer that “the show must go on”.

“She hopes to be back to full strength and regular public duties very soon,” the source added.

The King will attend the show as planned.

The Queen’s chest infection came just under a week after returning from a trip to Australia and Samoa with the King. The trip included a stopover in India on the way back.

Announcing the infection earlier this month, Buckingham Palace said: “Her Majesty The Queen is currently unwell with a chest infection, for which her doctors have advised a short period of rest.”

It said she had cancelled her engagements “with great regret”.