Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom tested positive for Covid-19, a fortnight after celebrating her 70th year on the throne, but officials insisted her symptoms were “minimal.”
The news comes at a difficult time for the royal family, as Prince Charles, the queen’s eldest son and heir, tested positive for HIV two days after meeting his mother at Windsor Castle on February 10.
No information was given then on whether Queen Elizabeth had taken any Covid tests herself.
She resumed in-person audiences at the castle last week, but complained to one attendee of suffering from stiffness and was photographed holding a walking stick.
“Buckingham Palace confirm that the queen has today tested positive for Covid,” a statement from the palace said.
“Her Majesty is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms but expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week,” it said.
“She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines.”
While normally secretive about the queen’s health, the palace has previously confirmed she is triple-vaccinated against Covid-19.
Britain’s Press Association said “it is understood a number of cases have also been diagnosed among the Windsor Castle team”.
Prime Minister 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.”
Members of Johnson’s cabinet joined in sending best wishes. Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labour party, also tweeted his hopes for “a speedy recovery”, adding: “Get well soon, Ma’am.”
Nationwide celebrations to mark the queen’s Platinum Jubilee are due to be held in June, after she marked 70 years on the throne on February 6.
Johnson’s government intends this week to lift remaining legal mandates covering Covid restrictions in England, with infections and hospitalisations from the Omicron wave apparently under control.
The government’s move will be unaffected by the queen’s illness, royal commentator Alastair Bruce said.
“That’s not the nature of how this works. She is not in any way a decision maker or an influencer,” he told Sky News.
“She’ll be informed of them but she would not want anyone to change any decisions on the basis of her state of health.”
Bruce added that the queen would be “very well looked after” by royal physicians.
“I think for a very feisty and determined lady of her mid-90s, she is more than ready to deal with what she faces,” he said.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
