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Britain’s 95-year-old Queen Elizabeth II tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday, a fortnight after marking 70 years on the throne, but aides said her symptoms were “mild”.
The news comes at a stressful time of scandal for the royal family and after Prince Charles, the queen’s eldest son and heir, tested positive on February 10, two days after meeting his mother at Windsor Castle.
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.
Visitors walk past police officers patroling by Windsor Castle, main residence of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, in Windsor, on February 20, 2022. – Britain’s 95-year-old Queen Elizabeth II tested positive for Covid-19 on February 20, 2022, a fortnight after marking 70 years on the throne, but aides said her symptoms were “mild”. She intends to continue with light duties at her Windsor Castle residence, aides said. The news comes at a stressful time of scandal for the royal family and after Prince Charles, the queen’s eldest son and heir, tested positive on February 10, two days after meeting his mother at Windsor Castle. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)
“Buckingham Palace confirms 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.
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.”
– ‘Feisty and determined lady‘ –
On the eve of the 70th anniversary, 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 the hospital last October.
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.
Respecting the government’s then rules on Covid distancing, she sat alone at Philip’s funeral, while Johnson and his staff are under police investigation for apparent breaches of the rules during lockdown parties in Downing Street.
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.
“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.”
“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.
