Queen sends message of support to Symonds and wishes PM a swift recovery
Johnson’s pregnant fiancée said to be ‘distraught’ at his admission to hospital as she stays in self-isolation
CARRIE SYMONDS yesterday received support from the Queen after Boris Johnson’s admission to intensive care.
The Prime Minister’s fiancée, who is due to give birth in the summer, is barred from visiting her partner while he remains in the unit at St Thomas’ Hospital in central London.
Ms Symonds had moved out of Downing Street to the home the couple bought together in Camberwell in south London, following medical advice, after Mr Johnson began showing symptoms of the coronavirus.
The couple have not seen each other for almost two weeks and it is not clear whether they are able to communicate while he remains in hospital, although she is kept informed of his condition.
A friend said that Ms Symonds, 32, had been left “distraught” and “in tears” after Mr Johnson, 55, was taken to hospital and then moved to intensive care as his health worsened on Monday
@Royalfamily
evening. A source said she had phoned one friend while deeply upset and concerned for his wellbeing.
Sources said the Queen’s message of support had provided Ms Symonds with comfort at a difficult time.
In a post on the Royal family’s Twitter page yesterday afternoon, Buckingham Palace said: “Earlier today the Queen sent a message to Carrie Symonds and to the Johnson family. Her Majesty said they were in her thoughts and that she wished the Prime Minister a full and speedy recovery.”
It is understood the Queen did not telephone Ms Symonds but that Palace aides contacted officials at Downing
Street who were requested to relay the message.
The Duke of Cambridge also sent his own message to Mr Johnson’s family – signing it off with his initial “W”. The post on the Kensington Palace Twitter account said: “Our thoughts are with the Prime Minister and his family, who like so many in the UK and around the world are affected by coronavirus. We wish him a speedy recovery at this difficult time. W” A Clarence House spokesman said the Prince of Wales had also sent a message wishing Mr Johnson a “speedy recovery”.
A spokesman for Ms Symonds declined to comment yesterday, but sources made it clear that reports that she had moved into her 71-year-old mother’s home were incorrect. It is thought that she remains at the couple’s terrace house in south London where her main company is the couple’s dog, Dilyn, a rescue terrier.
Ms Symonds is prevented from seeing the Prime Minister because of her pregnancy and a blanket ban on visitors to the intensive care unit.
On Saturday, Ms Symonds revealed on social media that she had also been suffering from coronavirus symptoms. “I’ve spent the past week in bed with the main symptoms of coronavirus. I haven’t needed to be tested and, after seven days of rest, I feel stronger and I’m on the mend,” she wrote.
It is not clear who has been available to look after her while she self-isolated with the disease.
The Royal Family
Earlier today The Queen sent a message to Carrie Symonds and to the Johnson family. Her Majesty said they were in her thoughts and that she wished the Prime Minister a full and speedy recovery.
‘Our thoughts are with the PM and his family, who like so many are affected by coronavirus’