Britain's Duchess of Cornwall missed the start of her tour of New Zealand because she was suffering from "jet lag."

Duchess Camilla

Duchess Camilla

The 68-year-old royal was absent from her first engagement at Government House because she was exhausted and battling a cough when she and her husband Prince Charles, 66, arrived in Wellington on Wednesday (04.11.15).

The Governor General, Sir Jerry Mateparae, reportedly told the Duchess to skip the reception and to get some rest instead, according to the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

It's believed the blonde beauty, who married into the famous family in 2005, is the first member of the royals to ever miss an engagement due to jet lag.

Camilla reportedly flew into Australia first class after spending a week holidaying at an undisclosed location.

In the past, the Duchess has stopped by a spa in India before kicking off her tours of Asia and Australasia, but the Palace refused to confirm whether she was there this time.

Meanwhile, the royal pair are set to spend six days in New Zealand before making their way to Australia on November 10 to visit Adelaide, Canberra, Sydney, Albany and Perth.