Covid19 diagnosis, isolation kept secret to avoid alarm
LONDON: Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, contracted Covid19 in April at a similar time to his father Prince Charles, British media reported yesterday, citing Kensington Palace sources.
The prince kept his diagnosis a secret because he did not want to alarm the country, The Sun newspaper reported.
‘‘There were important things going on and I didn’t want to worry anyone,’’ the prince was quoted by the newspaper as having told an observer at an engagement.
He was treated by palace doctors and followed government guidelines by isolating at the family home Anmer Hall, in Norfolk, the newspaper said, adding he still carried out 14 telephone and video call engagements during April.
‘‘William was hit pretty hard by the virus — it really knocked him for six. At one stage he was struggling to breathe, so obviously everyone around him was pretty panicked,’’ a source told The Sun.
The BBC also confirmed the news from sources yesterday, although Kensington Palace and the office of Prince William did not comment officially, but the report was not denied.
Prince Charles’ office confirmed on March 25 that Charles had tested positive for Covid19.