Queen Elizabeth says Covid was ‘frightening’, left her ‘exhausted’

Queen Elizabeth has given insight into her battle with Covid for the first time admitting it was “frightening”.

Queen Elizabeth has revealed her battle with Covid-19 was “frightening” and left her “very tired and exhausted”.

The British monarch, who turns 96 next month, opened up about her battle with the disease during a virtual visit to the Royal London Hospital last week for the official opening of the Queen Elizabeth unit.

After hearing from a patient who was put on a ventilator for seven weeks, the Queen responded: “I’m glad that you’re getting better, and It does leave one very tired and exhausted, doesn’t it? This horrible pandemic. It’s not a nice result.

“It obviously was a very frightening experience to have Covid very badly, wasn’t it?” she said.

The patient, Asef Hussain, whose brother and father died from the virus also expressed how hard it was not being able to see his family during hospitalisation.

The Queen remarked: “Of course not being allowed to see your relatives was very hard, wasn’t it?”

Queen Elizabeth during a call with staff at the The Royal London Hospital. Picture: AFP/ Buckingham Palace

SECRET PLAN FOR QUEEN’S DEATH REVEALED

As part of “Operation London Bridge”, on Her Majesty’s death and funeral, an hour’s muted chimes will ring out.

According to The Sun, the majority of Britain’s 16,000 churches have never rung bells that are fully muffled since the death of King George VI, the Queen’s father.

Central Council of Church Bell Ringers spokeswoman Vicki Chapman revealed: “We have spent a lot of time talking to the Royal Household and Lambeth Palace about the day the Monarch passes, which we hope will not be any time soon.

“Adding muffles makes bells sound mournful, more like a hum – so they will sound like thud, thud, thud rather than dong, dong, dong.

Queen Elizabeth II arrives in Westminster Abbey for the Service Of Thanksgiving For The Duke Of Edinburgh. Picture: Getty Images

“It is about paying due reverence to the service of the Monarch and commemorating her life.”

Leatherworks all over the country have reported a rise in bulk orders for the specialist products.

Philip Pratt of Big Wilf’s Bell Muffles near Bristol, added: “A lot of inquiries are coming in and we are taking on more and more orders.

“Muffles are a specialist product and only a very few leather manufacturers in the UK make them.”

Full muffles are used to dampen the sound of both strokes of the bell’s clapper, and are reserved only for the Monarch’s death.

Bells are sometimes rung half-muffled with one stroke muted for Remembrance Sunday and funerals.

Protocols are in place for the passing of Queen Elizabeth that have not been seen since the death of King George VI, the Queen’s father. Picture: Getty Images

‘OPERATION LONDON BRIDGE’

The secret blueprint for code name Operation London Bridge also includes arrangements for heightened security, Covid contingencies and even the Royal Family’s social media accounts.

It meticulously chronicles preparations for the 10 days from the monarch’s passing to her state funeral at Westminster Abbey.

Prince Charles will address the nation on the night of the Queen’s passing, before going on a mourning tour of Britain.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be told by Buckingham Palace’s most senior courtier, while the head of the civil service and top ministers will also be informed.

Flags will be lowered to half-mast across Government buildings within 10 minutes and Parliament will adjourn if sitting.

As when Prince Philip died last year, the Royal Family’s website will revert to a black holding page confirming the Queen’s death.

Queen Elizabeth II with Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Picture: AFP

‘OPERATION SPRING TIDE’

A national minute’s silence will be held, the PM will have a 6pm audience with the new King Charles, whose succession is codenamed Operation Spring Tide.

After duties in London, Charles will embark on a tour of the UK, visiting Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Queen’s coffin will lie in state for public viewing before her funeral.

The Home Office will beef-up the security presence in the city because of the heightened terror risk.

And the Foreign Office will try to negotiate entry for overseas dignitaries who could be blocked by any future Covid restrictions.

Her Majesty, 95, has recently pulled out of an Easter service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor on April 14, but she will instead be represented by Prince Charles and Camilla.

It is the first time the Prince of Wales will take the Queen’s place at the Maundy Day church service.

The annual event is an important fixture in the royal calendar and will see Charles follow the ancient tradition of distributing Maundy money to community stalwarts on Thursday.

He and Camilla will meet the Dean of Windsor, The Right Reverend David Conner KCVO and the Lord High Almoner, the Right Reverend Dr. John Inge.

The Queen has continued her busy schedule however, continuing with video calls throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

— with The Sun

Originally published as Queen Elizabeth says Covid was ‘frightening’, left her ‘exhausted’