Queen Elizabeth II tests positive for Covid-19 but symptoms ‘mild’: palace

Buckingham Palace has confirmed the Queen has Covid-19 and given an update on her health status as she remains at Windsor Castle.

Queen Elizabeth II has tested positive for Covid-19, Buckingham Palace has announced on Sunday morning, local time.

The palace said the monarch, 95, 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 palace said in a statement.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has tested positive for Covid-19 and is experiencing mild symptoms, Buckingham Palace has announced. Picture: AFP

Fears had grown for Her Majesty after she had been in contact with her eldest son and heir to the throne, the Prince of Wales, last week, the week he tested positive for coronavirus.

Speculation over the Queen’s health grew on February 17 when she told members of the royal household that she could not move easily. She had been in contact with her son Prince Charles the day before he tested positive for Covid-19 for a second time.

It comes just a few weeks after the nation’s longest-reigning monarch reached her historic Platinum Jubilee milestone of 70 years on the throne, on February 6.

Queen Elizabeth II during an in-person audience at the Windsor Castle, February 16. Her Majesty has tested positive for Covid. Picture: AFP

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.”

According to The Sun, the palace 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.

While usually secretive about the queen’s health, the palace has previously confirmed that she is fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Britain’s Press Association said “it is understood a number of cases have also been diagnosed among the Windsor Castle team”.

Queen Elizabeth II and UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson greet guests during a reception for international business and investment leaders at Windsor Castle last year. Picture: Getty Images

Britain’s leaders have reacted and sent their best to the Queen.

Tweeting, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “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.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer added: “On behalf of myself and the whole of UK Labour, wishing Her Majesty The Queen good health and a speedy recovery.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: “Wishing Her Majesty a quick recovery. God save the Queen.”

Despite her diagnosis, the Queen managed to congratulate Team Great Britain’s women’s curling team who won gold at the Winter Games as they defated Japan 10-3 at the Beijing Ice Cube.

The Queen has congratulated Team Great Britain after they defeated Team Japan in the Women's Gold Medal match in Beijing, China. Picture: Getty Images

The message reads: “I send my warmest congratulations to the Team GB Women’s Curling team on your outstanding performance in winning the Gold Medal at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, following the Silver Medal achieved by the Men’s Curling team yesterday.

“I know that your local communities and people throughout the United Kingdom will join me in sending our good wishes to you, your coaches and the friends and family who have supported you in your great success.”

DIAGNOSIS AMID SCANDAL

The Covid scare comes at a time when the royal family is mired in scandals.

The queen’s second son, Prince Andrew, settled a sexual assault civil lawsuit in the United States last week, reportedly for £12 million ($A22.7million), which the media has claimed she will partly fund.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales in happier times last year. Picture: Getty Images

Meanwhile police in London have said they are investigating claims that a Saudi tycoon was offered UK honours in return for donations to Prince Charles’ charitable foundation.

The queen, whose husband Prince Philip died aged 99 last April, has spent much of the coronavirus pandemic at Windsor Castle, with a reduced number of household staff dubbed “HMS Bubble”.

Respecting the government’s then rules on Covid distancing, she sat alone at Philip’s funeral, while Mr Johnson and his staff are under police investigation for apparent breaches of the rules during lockdown parties in Downing Street.

Mr Johnson’s government intends this week to lift remaining legal mandates covering Covid restrictions in England, with infections and hospitalisations from the Omicron wave apparently under control.

The government’s move will be unaffected by the queen’s illness, royal commentator Alastair Bruce said.

“That’s not the nature of how this works. She is not in any way a decision maker or an influencer,” he told Sky News.

“She’ll be informed of them but she would not want anyone to change any decisions on the basis of her state of health.”

Mr Bruce added that the queen would be “very well looked after” by royal physicians.

“I think for a very feisty and determined lady of her mid-90s, she is more than ready to deal with what she faces,” he said.

Originally published as Queen Elizabeth II tests positive for Covid-19 but symptoms ‘mild’: palace