British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has tested positive for Covid-19, and is experiencing cold-like symptoms, the Buckingham palace announced on Sunday, February 20, 2022, reigniting concerns of the state of health of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
Despite the mild symptoms, the 95-year-old queen, having celebrated her 70th year on the throne two weeks ago, “…expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week”. Alongside, “she will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines.”
Citing a royal source, CNN reported that the Queen had made plans to appear at a number of major engagements next month: a diplomatic reception at Windsor Castle on March 2, 2022, the annual Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 14, 2022; and a service of thanksgiving for Prince Philip at the same venue on March 29, 2022.
“While all are still a few weeks away, the Queen’s positive Covid-19 test may put her attendance in doubt”, according to CNN.
According to media reports, the Queen had been in contact with her eldest son and heir, the Prince of Wales, who tested positive last week, his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, also confirmed having contracted the virus. Other sources indicate that a number of people have tested positive at Windsor Castle, the Queen’s residence.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a tweet, wished Queen Elizabeth a quick recovery, saying: “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.”
The Queen, who will be 96 in April, 2022, had her first vaccine in January 2021, and is believed to have had her subsequent jabs after that, however, CNN reported that the Palace declined to reveal any information about subsequent vaccinations to this effect, citing medical privacy.
Queen’s Health Under Close Scrutiny
Since late last year, the Queen’s health has been closely scrutinized when she retreated herself from public gatherings and events on advice from doctors to rest following an overnight hospital stay for an undisclosed reason. Concerns about her health were renewed in the past few days as a number of family members self-isolated after testing positive for the virus.
In much of her 70-year reign, the queen has been in robust health and has been photographed riding a horse as recently as 2020. In the past year she has been seen using a walking stick, and in October 2021, she spent a night in a London hospital for medical checks.
The Queen’s doctors ordered her to rest after that and she was forced to cancel appearances at several key events, including Remembrance Sunday services and the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland in November, 2021.
This month, she returned to public duties and has held audiences both virtually and in person with diplomats, politicians and senior military officers. During one exchange caught on camera last week, she walked slowly with a stick and said “as you can see I can’t move” in apparent reference to her leg.
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