The Duchess was said to have had a gastric bug

Camilla was due to officially open a multi-million pound Aberdeen University research facility.

However, a spokeswoman told reporters awaiting Her Royal Highness's arrival that she was suffering from a "gastric bug".

A bout of gastro-enteritis had forced her to cancel her plans to tour a Christmas pudding factory last month.

She had been due tour the £5.7m state-of-the-art Health Sciences Building at Foresterhill in Aberdeen on Friday and meet renowned researchers investigating disorders.

'Speedy recovery'

A Clarence House spokeswoman said: "Unfortunately, she's picked up a gastric bug. She's had to postpone the visit and hopes it can be rescheduled.

"It's a medical matter and it's a private one."

A spokeswoman for Aberdeen University said that staff and delegates who had been due to meet with the Duchess were disappointed that the visit could not go ahead.

She said: "All of us at the university wish the Duchess a speedy recovery, and we would hope to welcome her again at some point."