The coronavirus pandemic has impacted people across the globe in an unprecedented way. The virus continues to spread rapidly worldwide and even the British royal family hasn’t been exempt from its effect. Wednesday’s news that Prince Charles has contracted COVID-19 was the latest update in how the pandemic has impacted the monarchy.
The royal family began making changes to their daily schedules in early March as COVID-19 became a more serious public health crisis. Queen Elizabeth II, for one, left Buckingham Palace for Windsor Castle a week earlier than she initially planned for the Easter holiday. She is now said to be staying at the castle with the ailing Prince Philip well beyond the Easter holiday.
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The youngest royals, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, have also been impacted by COVID-19, as their school has shut down, like many others have been globally.
Here, WWD breaks down the ways the royal family has reacted to and been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Queen Elizabeth Cancels Upcoming Royal Duties Indefinitely
Queen Elizabeth II is putting an indefinite hold on all upcoming royal duties and travel plans due to the pandemic. This is expected to be her longest absence from public duties in her nearly 67-year reign.
The queen was planning a trip to South Africa in October, but her travel plans are “up in the air” because of the virus.
Several events she was scheduled to attend, including her birthday celebration, Trooping the Colour, and The Royal Ascot, have already been canceled due to safety concerns.
Queen Elizabeth Makes TV Rare Address on Pandemic
Queen Elizabeth gave a rare TV address on April 6 from Windsor Castle to speak to the British public on the COVID-19 pandemic. The address marked the fourth time during her reign that she chose to make a broadcast during a difficult time for the country.
The queen looked to her past during the address, recalling her very first broadcast she made as a teenager with her sister, Princess Margaret, during World War II.
“We, as children, spoke from here at Windsor to children who had been evacuated from their homes and sent away for their own safety,” she said. “Today, once again, many will feel a painful sense of separation from their loved ones. But now, as then, we know deep down that it is the right thing to do.”
She used her address to praise the National Health Service workers and other essential workers, as well as remind the country to be united and resolute in order to get through the crisis.
Prince Charles Says He’s ‘On the Other Side of the Illness’
Prince Charles made his first statement since his COVID-19 diagnosis on April 1, speaking in a video statement released by Clarence House on Twitter.
“Having recently gone through the process of contracting the coronavirus, luckily with relatively mild symptoms, I now find myself on the other side of the illness, but still in no less a state of social distance and general isolation,” he said. “As we are all learning, this is a strange, frustrating and often distressing experience, when the presence of family and friends is no longer possible and the normal structure of life are suddenly removed.”
Prince Philip Releases Statement on COVID-19
Prince Philip released a rare statement on April 20 regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, thanking those that have been working on the frontlines of the virus.
“As we approach World Immunization Week, I wanted to recognize the vital and urgent work being done by so many to tackle the pandemic; by those in the medical and scientific professions, at universities and research institutions, all united in working to protect us from COVID-19,” the statement reads.
Prince Charles Contracts COVID-19
It was revealed by Clarence House on March 25 that Prince Charles has contracted COVID-19. The 71-year-old prince began experiencing mild symptoms on March 22 and was tested for the virus the following day.
The Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Parker Bowles, has tested negative for COVID-19. Both royals are self-isolating separately at their home at Balmoral in Scotland. The prince is said to be in good health despite his mild symptoms.
Clarence House’s statement also revealed that “it is not possible to ascertain from whom the prince caught the virus owing to the high number of engagements he carried out in his public role during recent weeks.”
An additional statement from Buckingham Palace revealed that “Her Majesty The Queen remains in good health” and that the queen last saw her son on March 12.
Prince Charles is the second major European royal to contract COVID-19. Last week it was confirmed that Prince Albert of Monaco also has COVID-19. Both royals attended the WaterAid Climate Summit in London on March 10 before quarantine and social distancing measures were enacted.
It was revealed on March 27 that U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also tested positive for COVID-19.
Queen Elizabeth Releases Statement on COVID-19
Queen Elizabeth made her first public remarks on the COVID-19 pandemic on March 19 with a statement released by Buckingham Palace.
“We know that many individuals and families across the United Kingdom, and around the world, are entering a period of great concern and uncertainty,” the statement reads. “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.”
The queen also advised that changing normal routines — like self-isolating and social distancing — is for “the greater good of the communities we live in and, in particular, to protect the most vulnerable within them.”
She then stated that the royal family “stand ready to play our part” in fighting the pandemic.
On March 23, the Times of London reported that Queen Elizabeth is planning to make a televised address in the coming weeks and is in talks with the British government to determine the proper timing.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Deliver Meals to Those In Need
Shortly after relocating to Los Angeles, it was reported that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle began working with Project Angel Food, a charity that provides meals individuals impacted by illnesses, to personally deliver meals to those in need in the Los Angeles area.
Royal Family Cancels Tours
As the COVID-19 pandemic spread rapidly, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall all canceled their upcoming travel plans.
The queen, who is 93, was set to travel to Cheshire and Camden in England in March. Instead, the queen left Buckingham Palace for Windsor Castle on March 19 for the Easter holiday, a week earlier than initially planned. A statement by Buckingham Palace reveals she will be staying at the castle well beyond the Easter holiday.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall also canceled their royal tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus and Jordan from March 17 to 25.
Royal Family Self-Isolates
The royal family has been self-isolating in compliance with orders by the U.K. government.
As reported, the queen and Prince Philip are staying at Windsor Castle while Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are at Balmoral in Scotland.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, are at the queen’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England with their three children.
It’s been reported that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have left their Vancouver Island home — where they’ve been staying since announcing they’d be stepping down from the royal family — for Los Angeles, according to People.
The couple is said to be staying at a secluded compound in the city with their son Archie.
Princess Beatrice’s Wedding Is Canceled
Princess Beatrice, who is the daughter of Prince Andrew and granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth, and her fiancé Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi have canceled their wedding reception at the gardens at Buckingham Palace due to the pandemic. The wedding was scheduled for May 29.
A release confirmed the news on March 18, stating: “Princess Beatrice and Mr. Mapelli Mozzi are very much looking forward to getting married, but are equally aware of the need to avoid undertaking any unnecessary risks in the current circumstances.”
The release states the couple is rethinking their arrangements for the wedding and are deciding if a private wedding with a small group of people would be safe for their guests.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte Start Homeschooling
Prince George and Princess Charlotte have joined the growing number of children globally who are being homeschooled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The young royals’ school, Thomas’s Battersea, announced on March 18 that it would be transitioning to remote learning as of March 20.
“From this date the curriculum will be taught through online learning platforms and we have asked parents to keep their children at home and to access their lessons through this system. This will ensure that children have continuity of learning when they are unable to attend school,” the school said in a statement.
The change is likely to not have a substantial effect on the prince and princess as their semester is set to end on March 26.
Youngest Royals Applaud COVID-19 Workers
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared a video on their Kensington Royal Instagram on March 26 showing their three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis — applauding the health-care workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The video is part of the National Health Service’s #ClapForOurCarers campaign.
“To all the doctors, nurses, carers, GPs, pharmacists, volunteers and other NHS staff working tirelessly to help those affected by #COVID-19: thank you,” the caption reads.
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