**King Charles Takes Center Stage at Gladiator II Premiere as Queen Camilla Recovers from Illness**

In a striking solo appearance, King Charles stepped out for the Royal Film Performance of *Gladiator II* on November 13, while his wife, Queen Camilla, focused on recuperation from a recent chest infection.

The event took place at the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square in London, celebrating the Film and TV Charity's centenary—a cause close to the King's heart.

Initially, the couple planned to attend the premiere together, but Queen Camilla, 77, opted to skip the glamorous affair as she continues her recovery.

Buckingham Palace revealed earlier this month that she had been unwell, which led to the cancellation of several engagements, including important Remembrance events with the royal family.

On November 12, the Queen made a return to public life, attending a reception for The Booker Prize Foundation and expressing that she was “on the mend.”

However, as the premiere approached, it was confirmed that she would not join King Charles on the red carpet for *Gladiator II*.

As he approaches his 76th birthday, King Charles embraced his royal duties with enthusiasm, showcasing his support for the film industry.

Serving as the patron of the Film and TV Charity, which has been a pivotal resource since its establishment in 1924, the King highlighted the importance of this longstanding relationship.

The Royal Film Performance has been graced by royal attendance since 1946, making it a cherished tradition.

The premiere was co-hosted by Paramount Pictures and the Film and TV Charity, where King Charles was warmly welcomed by event organizers.

Inside the theater, he mingled with prominent figures such as director Ridley Scott and stars like Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, and Pedro Pascal.

After being presented with a bouquet and the film program, the King settled in to enjoy Scott's eagerly awaited sequel to the Oscar-winning *Gladiator*, originally released in 2000 and featuring Russell Crowe among others.

Although Queen Camilla missed the evening's festivities, she did participate in a related engagement earlier that day.

Before the premiere, she joined King Charles at Buckingham Palace for a gathering recognizing those working in the U.K.'s film and television sectors in celebration of the charity's centenary.

During the reception, King Charles shared a light-hearted moment with actor Damian Lewis, who currently portrays Henry VIII in *Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light*.

In a playful exchange, Lewis joked that the King could claim to be unrelated to the historical figure, prompting laughter from the monarch, who praised Lewis's performance.

Interestingly, while Lewis's jest was humorous, it turns out that King Charles is indeed a distant relative of Henry VIII, adding an unexpected twist to their conversation.

The royal couple was accompanied by various members of the family, including Prince Edward, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, and Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, who represented the Queen at a previous Remembrance service during her illness.

Guests at the reception included directors, actors, and costume designers, all celebrating the rich history of film and television.

Attendees had the chance to view memorabilia from iconic films like *Titanic* and *Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World*, as well as Dame Maggie Smith's costume from *Evil Under The Sun*.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, the event featured musical performances by The Countess of Wessex String Orchestra, comprised of talented musicians from the Royal Corps of Army Music.