Queen Elizabeth II tests positive for COVID-19

 

Queen Elizabeth II has tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace officials revealed that the 95-year-old monarch "is experiencing mild cold like symptoms."

Despite this, it is expected that she will  "continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week."

"She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all appropriate guidelines," the statement continued.

The Queen, who turns 96 in April, joins the list of world leaders who got infected by the virus. Earlier this month, she met her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles, who eventually tested positive with the coronavirus and went into isolation. He last contracted a mild case of the virus in March 2020, as the pandemic was first engulfing Britain.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Royal Household has taken serious measures to protect The Queen from the virus. Among others, The Queen, then together with Prince Philip, was whisked away to Windsor Castle.

The Queen during COVID-19

The Queen's isolation has limited her engagements and the younger royals would have to stand-in on her behalf. She has made only brief public appearances for the sake of her safety. These include bestowing a knighthood to the 100-year-old Captain Tom Moore after raising millions of dollars for COVID-19 relief. She also attended the surprise royal wedding for her granddaughter Princess Beatrice.

At the height of the lockdown, the queen, has maximized her strong social media clout to reach out to millions of royal followers around the world. Since moving to Windsor Castle last March, the Queen has addressed the nation twice in a span of seven weeks!

Her first was a special broadcast on April 5, where the monarch thanked people for following government rules to stay at home and praised those "coming together to help others". She also thanked key workers, saying "every hour" of work "brings us closer to a return to more normal times".

"Never give up, never despair," was what the Queen Elizabeth II said in her second message, in time for the 75th anniversary of the Victory in Europe (VE) Day on May 8.  Her rousing message was a tribute to those who fought for freedom and peace, and at the same time, a call for everyone to never give up in these trying times.  The Queen also made reference to the country’s current lockdown and the huge casualties that coronavirus had claimed.