Duchess of Kent has ME

The Duchess of Kent is suffering from ME and has had to pull out of all her official engagements, it emerged yesterday.

The 63-year-old Duchess is resting at her home, St James's Palace, on the advice of doctors. A spokesman said: "Her doctors have told her to cut back... It is nothing too serious. She is just rather tired in general terms. She has been advised to take it easy, because that will help her recovery." As a result, the Duchess had with regret declined all other official invitations since the summer, he said. "In herself, she is fine," but some days she was particularly fatigued.