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Her Majesty the Queen has withdrawn from the memorial of the Duchess of Kent with "profound disappointment", with Buckingham Palace saying she is suffering from acute sinusitis.

However the palace confirms the Queen, despite this painful condition of the sinuses, still plans to take part in the state visit of the US President, who will be in Windsor on Wednesday.

King Charles and additional high-ranking royals are due later at the service of the Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral.

It is the first Catholic memorial service for a figure of the Royal Family in contemporary eras – and a message from Pope Leo will be shared during the ceremony.

The Queen's medical issue was disclosed by the royal communications team ahead of the funeral, which will be held on Tuesday.

"Unfortunately, Queen Camilla has withdrawn from attendance at this day's funeral service for the Duchess of Kent as she is treating acute sinusitis. She sends her condolences will be with the Duke and the entire family," said the announcement.

The casket of the royal was brought to the cathedral on Monday, covered in the flag and with white roses among the tributes, in memory of the late Duchess' origins.

The duchess was the oldest member of the Royal Family when she died earlier this month at the years of 92. She was married to the first cousin of the late the former monarch.

There have been many recollections of her kindness and her dedication to charities.

The Cardinal, who will lead the funeral service, has recalled how the duchess often volunteered at the Passage charity for the those in need, which is based nearby to the church.

Reflecting before the service, he described her as a "approachable individual" who had assisted in the dining area and with cleaning at the organization.

"In addition to balancing royal duties, she was deeply involved in helping others," Cardinal Nichols told.

This is a historic occasion in terms of being a Catholic service for royalty, but the Cardinal said it should be seen mainly as a "private memorial where the members of the family come together."

"One of their oldest members has died. A lady who was deeply cherished by her relatives and also, as we've seen, by much of the public," stated Cardinal Nichols.

The late royal had a profound passion of music and had worked as a primary school educator, using the name a common surname, with the students not knowing anything about her royal life.

Music at the service will include Ave Verum Corpus by Mozart, which was chosen by the duchess as her favourite piece when she was a participant on the a popular radio program in 1990.

A piper will perform the lament a traditional melody, which was heard at the funeral of the Queen Elizabeth, which was three years ago this time.

There will also be music by JS Bach and from the requiem by France’s composer Durufle.

The royal will also be remembered as a well-known figure at the tennis tournament, where she presented trophies – and comforted those who had lost, including a emotional a tennis professional in 1993.

After the service at the cathedral, the coffin will be transferred to the royal burial ground in the estate, on the royal grounds.