Royals

Prince Charles has tested positive for Covid-19 it has been confirmed

The 71-year-old heir to the British throne is currently in self-isolation in Scotland and is “displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health.”

Prince Charles has tested positive for Covid-19 Clarence House has confirmed.

According to a spokesperson the 71-year-old heir to the British throne is in self-isolation at Balmoral Castle in Scotland after displaying mild symptoms and later testing positive to the virus which has killed 422 people in the UK so far and has New Zealand in a four-week lockdown to try and curb its spread.

“The Prince of Wales has tested positive for coronavirus,” the spokesperson confirmed to UK media today.

“He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual.

“The Duchess of Cornwall has also been tested but does not have the virus. In accordance with Government and medical advice, the Prince and Duchess are now self-isolating at home in Scotland.”

The tests were carried out by the NHS in Aberdeenshire, with the spokesperson adding it’s impossible to say where Charles caught the virus from due to the number of engagements he attends.

The positive test does, however, comes a fortnight after he met with Prince Albert of Monaco, who last week also confirmed he had contracted the virus.

Prince Albert and Prince Charles in 2012. (Image: Getty)

The news comes just days after it was reported a member of staff at Buckingham Palace had also tested positive for Covid-19 resulting in the Queen travelling to Windsor Castle one week earlier than scheduled to go into self-isolation with Prince Philip.

According to royal correspondent for Harper’s Bazaar Omid Scobie, Buckingham Palace have also issued a statement following today’s news saying the Queen “remains in good health” and last saw Prince Charles at an Investiture on March 12.

“[She] is following all the appropriate advice with regard to her welfare. We will not be commenting further.”

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As the pandemic tightened its grip across Europe earlier this month, royal engagements were scaled back and more precautions were taken such as avoiding handshakes – Prince Charles had opted for Namastes instead.

Last week the Queen also shared a personal letter of solidarity saying that “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 continued: “[Philip and I] 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.

“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. You can be assured that my family and I stand ready to play our part,” she concluded, signing the letter, “Elizabeth R”.

The message, shared to the Royal Family’s social media accounts was also shared by the Cambridges and the Sussexes and follows their own messages addressing the current pandemic in which Prince William shared a video message encouraging people to come together while the Sussexes shared a similar message saying now more than ever “we need each other for truth, for support, and to feel less alone during a time that can honestly feel quite scary”.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have also visited staff working at NHS 111 to give their personal thanks to the staff who have been working tirelessly to provide care and advice to those who need it the most.

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