Much like everyone else in the world, the Queen too has rearranged her plans “as a sensible precaution in the current circumstances.”
Buckingham Palace announced last week that the diary for both the Queen and the other members of the Royal Family would change because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Read more: You can visit the London residence of Prince Charles and Camilla in a virtual tour
The Queen herself moved from Buckingham Palace in London to Windsor Castle on 19 March, a week earlier than scheduled for the Easter holidays, and “it is likely [she] will stay there beyond the Easter period.” Prince Philip joined her on the same day when he was flown to Windsor from Sandringham House in Norfolk.
“As Philip and I arrive at Windsor today, we know that many individuals and families across the United Kingdom, and around the world, are entering a period of great concern and uncertainty,” wrote the Queen in a message published on the official website of the Royal Family. “We 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,” she continued.
Many engagements and events the Queen or a member of the Royal Family was supposed to attend are now postponed or cancelled, like the State Visit from the Emperor and Empress of Japan or the Maundy service ahead of Good Friday. The famous ceremony of the changing of the guard has also been suspended at the royal residences of Buckingham Palace, St. James’s Palace and Windsor Castle. More information is available at the official Royal Family’s website here.
On Wednesday, it was announced that Prince Charles had tested positive for COVID-19, but remained in good health with only mild symptoms. He is self-isolating in Scotland.
