Queen, 95, has Covid but will continue with ‘light duties’

The Queen, 95, has tested positive for coronavirus - but one surprising line in the Palace’s announcement has shocked many.

The Queen has tested positive for coronavirus, Buckingham Palace has confirmed today.

Her Majesty, 95, is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms, palace officials told The Sun.

She expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week, however.

The Queen has fallen ill after it was confirmed she had been in direct contact with Prince Charles the week he had the virus.

In a statement, the Palace said she will “continue to receive medical attention” from her team of royal physicians and expects to continue “light duties” at Windsor over the coming week.

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Queen Elizabeth has Covid. Picture: AFP

This detail - that the 95-year-old monarch will continue with “light duties” despite being diagnosed with Covid - surprised some royal watchers on social media today, who asked what exactly the Queen would be expected to do:

"The Queen is expected to carry on with light duties" oh come on, I'm no royalist but she's got covid and she's bloody 95 years old, let the lass have a duvet day.

— Nat Guest (@unfortunatalie) February 20, 2022

"Light duties". The Queen is still working at 95 and has Covid. Surely she could take a few full days off and no one would fault her for it. Wishing her rest and a speedy recovery. https://t.co/LqcTbkyA47

— Rick Vugteveen (@rickvug) February 20, 2022

For God's sake, let the Queen rest; she doesn't need any duties while battling COVID-19! 💗

— Pam Sego (@GramPammy3) February 20, 2022

Wondering what constitutes light duties for the queen - only walking one corgi? Knighting with a small dagger?

— Waider (@waider) February 20, 2022

I find it unsettling that a 95 year old woman with COVID (i.e. the Queen) is continuing to undertake 'light duties' while she's ill & that is being reported like it is a good thing.
If you're ill, rest (if you can)!
Heck,rest even when you're not ill.
Rest. Play. Enjoy your life.

— Cynthia Sax (@CynthiaSax) February 20, 2022

Good to hear that while at home Queen Elizabeth will be continuing to perform light duties such as looking at something somebody is showing her and saying, "Ooh, very nice."

— Adam Liaw (@adamliaw) February 20, 2022

Sources say coronavirus has swept through staff at Windsor in recent days.

Royal insiders revealed a “number of cases” have been diagnosed in workers based at the castle.

It is understood the Queen, who is just two months away from her 96th birthday, is tested every day by royal doctors.

Her medics will be on hand to take care of and monitor her, with Professor Sir Huw Thomas, head of the Medical Household, expected to be in charge.

The shock announcement was made just a few weeks after the nation’s longest-reigning monarch reached her historic Platinum Jubilee of 70 years on the throne on February 6.

Windsor Castle guards stand in their sentry box at an entrance to Windsor Castle. Picture: ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “Buckingham Palace can 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.”

Fridge magnets featuring Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Harry with his wife Meghan Markle are displayed outside a souvenir shop opposite Windsor Castle. Picture: ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP

The Queen is understood to be triple vaccinated but she had been on doctors’ order to rest since mid October, after cancelling a run of engagements and spending a night in hospital undergoing preliminary tests.

She is believed to have spent time with Charles 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.

Prince Charles speaks to university representatives during a reception after presenting the Queen's Anniversary Prizes at St James's Palace on February 17 in London. Picture: Kirsty O'Connor - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Duchess of Cornwall has also tested positive for Covid, with Clarence House confirming on Monday February 14 that the duchess was self isolating.

Boris Johnson tweeted this afternoon: “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.”

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles at the Balmoral Estate last year. Picture: Andrew Milligan-WPA Pool/Getty Images

Her Majesty has led by example throughout the pandemic, sitting alone at her husband’s funeral in April 2021 and cancelling a family Christmas party in December because it was “the right thing to do”.

Despite a period of ill-health towards the end of last year, she has appeared to be on sprightly form during her recent engagements.

The Queen was pictured beaming as she met with the incoming and outgoing Defence Service Secretaries at Windsor Castle on February 16.

And the following day, the monarch appeared on a screen via videolink from Windsor Castle during a virtual audience to receive the Ambassador of Jordan Manar Dabbas at Buckingham Palace.

Queen Elizabeth II is seen on a screen via videolink from Windsor Castle during a virtual audience to receive the Ambassador of Jordan, Manar Dabbas (C) accompanied by Muna Abuhassan (L) at Buckingham Palace on February 17. Picture: Aaron Chown / AFP

This story was originally published in The Sun and is republished with permission.

Originally published as Queen, 95, has Covid but will continue with ‘light duties’