Queen makes London escape amid coronavirus fears
The Queen and Prince Philip have headed to Windsor in a bid to stay free of the coronavirus, as the monarch told Britons the royal family is ready to “play its part” in beating the deadly infection.
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The Queen has left Buckingham Palace for Windsor, in a bid to stay healthy from the coronavirus.
The 93-year-old left her London residence for Windsor Castle, accompanied by her beloved corgi-mix, Candy, who sat on her lap.
The long-reigning monarch was joined at Windsor by her husband Prince Philip, 98, who flew by helicopter from his home of Wood Farm at Sandringham in Norfolk, amid an anticipated lockdown of London.
The couple left for Windsor for their annual Easter break, a week earlier than planned.
Buckingham Palace said the changes were “a sensible precaution”.
And in a statement to the nation, the Queen paid tribute to medical workers, scientists and the emergency and public services who are fighting the pandemic, and stressed everyone has a “vitally important part to play as individuals” – today and in the coming months.
In her statement, the Queen said the royal family would play its part as Britain rises to the challenge of overcoming the coronavirus pandemic.
“Many of us will need to find new ways of staying in touch with each other and making sure that loved ones are safe. I am certain we are up to that challenge,” the 93-year-old monarch said in a message to the nation.
“You can be assured that my family and I stand ready to play our part.”
On Tuesday, the Queen announced she had cancelled her annual garden parties and several other events, and would head to Windsor Castle, west of London, on Thursday (local time).
The Queen’s message went on: “As Philip and I arrive at Windsor today, we know that many individuals and families across the United Kingdom, and around the world, are entering a period of great concern and uncertainty.
“We are all being advised to change our normal routines and regular patterns of life for the greater good of the communities we live in and, in particular, to protect the most vulnerable within them.”
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At times such as these, I am reminded that our nation’s history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one, concentrating our combined efforts with a focus on the common goal.”
She added: “We are enormously thankful for the expertise and commitment of our scientists, medical practitioners and emergency and public services; but now more than any time in our recent past, we all have a vitally important part to play as individuals – today and in the coming days, weeks and months.”
Originally published as Queen makes London escape amid coronavirus fears