The Queen has tested positive for Covid-19 and is experiencing “mild cold-like symptoms”, it was announced on Sunday.
It comes after the monarch came in direct contact with her eldest son, the Prince of Wales, when he had the disease last week.
Prince Charles tested positive for the virus on 10 February – the second time he has contracted Covid – and went into self-isolation. However, he had met with the Queen two days before he received a positive test.
Shortly after, the Duchess of Cornwall also tested positive for Covid-19. She had tested negative on the day it was confirmed that Charles had the virus and carried out three public engagements on the same day.
Now, Buckingham Palace has said the Queen has cancelled her planned virtual engagements as she continues to recover from Covid.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “As Her Majesty is still experiencing mild cold-like symptoms she has decided not to undertake her planned virtual engagements today, but will continue with light duties.”
The Queen’s diagnosis comes just a few weeks after she reached her historic Platinum Jubilee on 6 February, marking 70 years on the throne.
Here’s everything we know about whether the Queen will continue to work and how she will be treated.
Is the Queen still working?
Buckingham Palace has announced that Her Majesty will not partake in the planned virtual audiences for Tuesday, 22 February.
It is understood that whether or not she will undertake further engagements this week will be decided closer to the time.
Earlier this week, the palace said the Queen would continue her duties: “Buckingham Palace confirms 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.”
It comes after Her Majesty carried out her first public major engagement for more than three months on Saturday 5 February.
She met with charity workers at Sandringham House, where she cut a celebratory cake for her jubilee and used a walking stick to rest on.
Who will treat the Queen?
The Royal Household has its own physicians and the Queen’s doctors will be on hand to take care of and monitor her condition in the coming days.
Professor Sir Huw Thomas, head of the Medical Household and Physician to the Queen, is expected to be in charge.
Is the Queen vaccinated?
Yes, the Queen is understood to have had three doses of a coronavirus vaccine.
How is the Queen’s health?
The Queen has been on doctor’s orders to rest since mid-October following a health scare.
She spent a night in hospital to undergo preliminary tests and was forced to cancel a run of engagements at the time.
In 2003, the monarch underwent surgery on both knees to remove torn cartilage. She used a walking stick following the surgery, but did not use one in public until 2021.
She was last seen leaning on a walking stick on 16 February, when she met with incoming Defence Services Secretary Major General Eldon Millar and his predecessor Rear Admiral James Macleod.
During the event, Her Majesty stood and pointed to her left leg and said: “Well, as you can see, I can’t move.”
It was understood that she was feeling slightly stiff rather than having injured herself or being unwell at the time.
Additional reporting by PA
