THE Queen has held her weekly telephone audience with the Prime Minister – just days after testing postivie for Covid, Buckingham Palace has said.
Her Majesty, 95, is experiencing “mild cold-like symptoms” but is continuing to carry out “light duties” this week.
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There had been fears for her health after she was in direct contact with Prince Charles two days before he tested positive for coronavirus during a routine lateral flow on February 10.
Officials said earlier this week she would “continue to receive medical attention” from her team of royal physicians.
The shock diagnosis came just a fortnight after Her Majesty celebrated her Platinum Jubilee and said she wishes for Camilla to become Queen Consort when Charles is made King.
Announcing the news on Sunday, the Palace said in a statement: “Buckingham Palace confirm that The Queen has today tested positive for Covid.
“Her Majesty is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms but expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week.
“She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines.”
Leading well-wishes for the Queen, Boris Johnson tweeted: “I’m sure I speak for everyone in wishing Her Majesty The Queen a swift recovery from Covid and a rapid return to vibrant good health.”
It comes as:
Sources say coronavirus had swept through staff at Windsor in recent days.
Royal insiders revealed a “number of cases” have been diagnosed in workers based at the castle.
It is understood the Queen, who is just two months away from her 96th birthday, is tested every day by royal doctors.
Her medics will be on hand to take care of and monitor her, with Professor Sir Huw Thomas, head of the Medical Household, expected to be in charge.
Her Majesty is understood to be triple vaccinated.
It’s believed she spent time with Charles on February 8, when he hosted an investiture at her Windsor Castle home.
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It was the first time they had seen one another since Christmas.
The prince tested positive for Covid two days later, but has since recovered.
The Duchess of Cornwall had also tested positive for Covid, with Clarence House confirming on February 14 that Camilla was self isolating.
Her Majesty has led by example throughout the pandemic, sitting alone at her husband’s funeral in April 2021 and cancelling a family Christmas party in December because it was “the right thing to do”.
Despite the period of ill-health she suffered towards the end of last year, when she cancelled a run of engagements and spent a night in hospital, she has appeared to be on sprightly form during her recent meetings.
She was pictured beaming brightly as she met with the incoming and outgoing Defence Service Secretaries on February 16.
ON SPARKLING FORM
During the meeting, she used a walking stick and said she “couldn’t move” well – although it’s thought she was feeling a little stiff, rather than being injured or unwell.
She was heard saying cheerily: “I’m here!
“I thought you might have just stayed in there for ages. Good morning.”
Asked how she is, the Queen, pointing to her left leg or foot, responded: “Well, as you can see, I can’t move.”
She also held video audiences with ambassadors on February 15 and 17.
Her aides will be keeping her schedule light before a series of outings in March.
GET WELL SOON, MA’AM
Officials are keen she will not be rushed and “lessons have been learned” since her punishing 19 jobs in as many days last October.
Royal biographer Angela Levin told Sky News: “It is a very worrying time because you don’t know what can happen and when.
“You don’t want to totally isolate her. She needs contact with people – she has done that ever since she came to the throne.
“It would make her sad and think about negative things because that is what you do when you are on your own for a long time.”
Following the announcement today of her positive Covid test, Health Secretary Sajid Javid tweeted: “Wishing Her Majesty The Queen a quick recovery.”
BEST WISHES FROM A NATION
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer wrote: “On behalf of myself and the whole of @UKLabour, wishing Her Majesty The Queen good health and a speedy recovery. Get well soon, Ma’am.”
And Piers Morgan said: “Wishing Her Majesty, The Queen a full and speedy recovery from Covid-19.
“Worrying for any 95-year-old person to catch this virus, and a very worrying time for Britain when it’s our Monarch. Good luck, Ma’am.”
Brits who develop coronavirus symptoms are asked to notify those they have been in contact with in the previous 48 hours.
The Queen can come out of isolation if she tests negative on day five and day six and does not have a temperature.
She is the oldest member of the Royal Family to contract Covid.
Charles has suffered the illness twice, with his wife Camilla falling ill for the first time last Monday.
The Duke of Cambridge, now 39, had the virus in April 2020 and “struggled to breathe” – but kept it a secret as he didn’t wish to alarm the nation.
In December 2021, the Princess Royal’s husband Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence tested positive, meaning Anne and Admiral Sir Timothy could not join the Queen on Christmas Day.
Princess Michael of Kent, 77, who is married to the Queen’s cousin Prince Michael of Kent, suffered severe symptoms when struck down with Covid-19 in November 2020.
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