Queen tests positive for COVID-19, Buckingham Palace says

The Queen has tested positive for coronavirus, Buckingham Palace has said.

The monarch, 95, is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms and expects to continue light duties at Windsor this week, the palace said.

She is understood to be triple vaccinated.

Messages of support pour in for Queen after COVID diagnosis - follow live updates

Image: The Queen pictured at Windsor Castle on 16 February

In recent weeks, Prince Charles also tested positive for COVID for a second time, and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, was diagnosed with the virus.

Sky's royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills said "a number of cases have been diagnosed within the Windsor Castle team".

"So clearly, those around her have had COVID, she's now contracted it."

The Queen has sent a message of congratulations to @TeamGB’s curling teams following their success at #Beijing2022#TeamGB — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) February 20, 2022

On Sunday, a message from the Queen to the winning Team GB curling team illustrated the kind of light duties she would continue to undertake.

The announcement on Sunday was made just a few weeks after the Queen, Britain's longest-reigning monarch, reached her historic Platinum Jubilee of 70 years on the throne.

A statement by Buckingham Palace said: "Buckingham Palace confirm that The Queen has today tested positive for COVID.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:42 Queen knew catching COVID 'was matter of time'

"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."

The Royal Household has its own royal physicians and the Queen's doctors will be on hand to take care of and monitor her health.

Read more: The Queen's recent health and how doctors will look to treat Her Majesty after COVID diagnosis

Image: The Queen was in contact with Charles before he tested positive for COVID for a second time. File pic

Professor Sir Huw Thomas, head of the medical household and physician to the Queen, is expected to be in charge.

The Queen is believed to have spent time with Prince Charles on 8 February at Windsor Castle.

A few days later he tested positive for the virus but made a quick recovery to full health.

It was announced on 14 February that Camilla had contracted the virus.

The Queen has recently suffered from health difficulties and on Wednesday the monarch, seen standing holding a walking stick, remarked during an in-person audience: "Well, as you can see, I can't move."

Image: The Queen is understood to be triple vaccinated. Pic: Geoff Robinson/Shutterstock

Sky News royal commentator Alastair Bruce said: "The Queen is no lover of fuss.

"She's in an environment where she can be very well looked after.

"She's aware that an enormous number of people, particularly of her age, have been vulnerable at this time of getting COVID, and she will take the advice that she's given, but she's pretty stalwart.

"I think the Queen's always been aware that one day she would get it.

"For a very feisty and determined lady of her mid-90s, she is more than ready to deal with what she faces."

Messages of support pour in for Queen

Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: "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."

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. — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) February 20, 2022

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "On behalf of myself and the whole of @UKLabour, wishing Her Majesty The Queen good health and a speedy recovery. Get well soon, Ma'am."

On behalf of myself and the whole of @UKLabour, wishing Her Majesty The Queen good health and a speedy recovery. Get well soon, Ma’am. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) February 20, 2022

London Mayor Sadiq Khan added: "The commitment Her Majesty the Queen has shown to our country continues to be unwavering.

"Wishing her a swift and safe recovery from COVID-19."

Read more: Which other members of the Royal Family have had COVID and when did they contract it?

The Queen has spent much of the pandemic at Windsor Castle, protected in "HMS Bubble" - the nickname given to her reduced household of dedicated staff.

During the coronavirus crisis she delivered two rare televised addresses to the nation weeks apart.

She reassured the country that the virus would be overcome, telling those in isolation: "We will meet again."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:24 Queen: 'We'll meet again'

However, the COVID diagnosis will cause concern, given the Queen's advanced age and her health scares in recent months.

In October, she was pictured using a walking stick at as Westminster Abbey service - believed to be the first time she has used one at a major public event.

She has been on doctors' orders to rest since mid-October when she cancelled a run of engagements and spent a night in hospital undergoing preliminary tests.

She was unable to attend the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday after spraining her back.

Speaking in December, Prince Charles said of her health: "Once you get to 95, it's not quite as easy as it used to be. It's bad enough at 73."

Image: The Queen used a walking stick at Westminster Abbey in October

The monarch carried out her first major public engagement for more than three months on 5 February, the eve of her Jubilee, when she met charity workers at Sandringham House and cut a celebratory cake.

Over Christmas, the Queen cancelled her annual family gathering at her Norfolk estate amid rising Omicron cases in the UK.

It was the Queen's first Christmas period without the Duke of Edinburgh, her husband of more than 73 years, who died on 9 April last year. She was forced to sit alone during his funeral, due to ongoing pandemic restrictions.

She returned to Windsor in early February.

In recent months she has been setting her affairs in order, using her Jubilee message to endorse the Duchess of Cornwall to be Queen Camilla and crowned at Charles's side when he one day becomes King.

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She has become the latest monarch from around the world to catch COVID.

Queen Margrethe of Denmark, 82, and Spain's King Felipe VI, 54, both tested positive for the illness on February 9.