“Her Majesty is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms"
In a statement, Buckingham Palace has said that the Queen has tested positive for Covid-19.
The 95-year-old monarch is experiencing “mild cold-like symptoms” but expects to continue “light duties” over the coming week.
It was confirmed that the Queen had been in contact with her eldest son and heir, the Prince of Wales, who tested positive for the second time on February 10, 2022.
A statement said: “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.”
It was reported that a number of people have tested positive at Windsor Castle, where the Queen resides.
The announcement comes just a few weeks after the Queen reached her Platinum Jubilee of 70 years on the throne on February 6.
The Queen carried out several official engagements virtually during the week after there were concerns that she was at risk of contracting the virus.
Her first major public engagement for more than three months was held on February 5, the eve of her jubilee, when she met charity workers at Sandringham House and cut a celebratory cake.
The Queen is understood to be triple vaccinated.
However, she 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.
The Queen is believed to have spent time with Prince Charles on February 8, when he hosted an investiture at Windsor Castle.
He tested positive a few days later but has quickly made a full recovery.
The Duchess of Cornwall also tested positive for Covid-19, with Clarence House confirming that she was self-isolating.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson sent his well wishes to the Queen, tweeting:
“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.”
The Royal Household has its own physicians, and the Queen’s is Sir Huw Thomas, a consultant at St Mary’s Hospital in London and professor of gastrointestinal genetics at Imperial College London.
He is “head of the medical household”, which is part of the Royal Household looking after the health of the family.
Meanwhile, BBC health correspondent Jim Reed said newly-approved antiviral drugs could assist with the Queen’s recovery.
He said the drugs were now a major way to cut the risk of vulnerable people requiring hospital treatment, adding it would be a fair assumption that they would be offered to the Queen.
Antivirals that are currently available need to be taken within three to five days of contracting Covid-19.
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