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Queen Elizabeth is experiencing "mild cold like symptoms" after testing positive for Covid-19 but expects to be at her desk carrying out "light duties", Buckingham Palace has said.
Concerns for the queen (95) will be heightened given her age and recent health scare but it appears the head of state is determined to carry out what tasks she can despite contracting the virus.
The diagnosis follows a string of Covid cases among Britain's royal family and the queen's Windsor Castle team, with the Prince of Wales meeting the monarch the week he tested positive, and the Duchess of Cornwall also isolating after contracting the virus.
The announcement was made just a few weeks after Britain’s longest-reigning monarch reached her historic Platinum Jubilee of 70 years on the throne on February 6th.
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Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “Buckingham Palace confirm 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.
The royal household has its own royal physicians and the queen's doctors will be on hand to take care of and monitor the head of state, with Professor Sir Huw Thomas, head of the medical household and physician to the queen, expected to be in charge.
It is understood the queen is following Covid guidelines on self-isolating after testing positive but prime minister Boris Johnson is expected to repeal all pandemic regulations that restrict public freedoms in England when he lays out his vision for the future on Monday.
The queen is believed to be triple vaccinated but until recently had been on doctors’ orders to rest since mid October, after cancelling a run of engagements and spending a night in hospital undergoing preliminary tests.
Just a few weeks ago, the monarch had begun to resume her normal duties, hosting at Sandringham her largest reception in months, on the eve of her Platinum Jubilee anniversary, and a few days later held her first in-person audience with the prime minister in many weeks.
The queen is believed to have spent time with Charles, Prince of Wales, on February 8, when he hosted an investiture at her Windsor Castle home, and a few days later he tested positive for Covid but made a quick recovery to full health.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, has also tested positive for Covid, with Clarence House confirming on February 14th that the duchess was self isolating. – PA