LONDON: A statement from Buckingham Palace said on Sunday that Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II has tested positive for coronavirus. The statement added that she was experiencing mild cold-like symptoms and that she is expected to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week.
The news comes after Prince Charles, the queen’s eldest son and heir, tested positive on February 10, two days after meeting his mother at Windsor.
No information was given then on whether Queen Elizabeth had herself taken a test. She resumed in-person audiences at the castle last week, but complained to one attendee of suffering from stiffness.
“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 that she is fully 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”.
There was no immediate comment from Prime Minister Boris Johnson. But his health secretary, Sajid Javid, tweeted: “Wishing Her Majesty The Queen a quick recovery.”
Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labour party, also tweeted his best wishes 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.
On the eve of the 70th anniversary of her accession on February 6, the monarch held a reception for locals at Sandringham, her estate in eastern England.
It was reportedly her largest in-person public engagement since an unexplained health issue saw her spend a night in hospital last October.
The Covid scare comes with the royal family mired in scandals.
The queen’s second son, Prince Andrew, settled a sexual assault civil lawsuit in the United States last week, reportedly for £12 million ($16.3 million, 14.3 million euros) — which newspapers claim she will partly fund.
Meanwhile police in London have said they are investigating claims that a Saudi tycoon was offered UK honours in return for donations to Prince Charles’ charitable foundation.
The queen, whose husband Prince Philip died aged 99 last April, has spent much of the coronavirus pandemic at Windsor Castle, with a reduced number of household staff dubbed “HMS Bubble”.
Respecting the government’s then rules on Covid distancing, she sat alone at Philip’s funeral.
