Masks not necessary as Queen gets back to work
‘Being out and about just feels a better way to create memories for people that will last forever and be passed down through generations’
IT WILL have been without question one of the strangest periods of her reign. After 220 days working behind the closed doors of her palaces and castles, the Queen’s Covid-19 isolation ended yesterday as she stepped out to honour those working to keep Britain safe.
The Queen, joined by the Duke of Cambridge, braved the re- emerging threat of the virus to fulfil her commitment to staff at the UK’S national security laboratory at Porton Down, Salisbury.
Without masks, they heard of the work to fight Covid-19 as well as counter terrorism and the rapid response to 2018’s Novichok poisoning attack.
It was as if she had never been away, as the Queen returned to what she does best: meeting her public, thanking unsung heroes and unveiling plaques.
In a rose-coloured Stewart Parvin outfit, trusty handbag and hat, she beamed at Defence Science and Technology Laboratory staff who had been waiting to meet her. And anyone paying close attention would have noticed the small but extraordinary details that allowed it all to happen. Porton Down hosts kept a careful social distance from the Queen at all times, even the Duke giving his 94-year-old grandmother a courteous wide berth as they toured.
Floor markings dictated where people could stand and there was hand sanitiser at every corner. All 48 staff had been tested for Covid-19, a source said. A small number of others, including selected members of the press, were kept well back and in face masks.
There was an open-sided marquee for meeting and greeting, and, in a similarly well-aired hangar, a demonstration of how dogs detect explosives.
The Queen arrived by deep-cleaned helicopter from Windsor Castle, while the Duke travelled by car. Although Kensington Palace declined to confirm, citing privacy, it is understood the Duke, who has two children at primary school, had tested negative for Covid-19.
He is believed to have last seen his grandmother during a family stay at Balmoral in the summer.
Given the precautions, royal household doctors felt it safe for the Queen to go without her own mask, allowing her to talk and complete her duties unencumbered. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “Specific advice has been sought from the medical household and relevant parties, and all necessary precautions taken.”
It was a cautious re- entry for the Queen into public duty, as her aides worked to protect her from catching the virus and further unsettling a country already facing many challenges.
Until now, she has been protected in a secure environment nicknamed HMS Bubble. From mid-march, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh lived in private apartments at Windsor assisted by 22 members of staff who worked in rotation away from their own families.
In the summer they moved to Balmoral but returned to Sandringham earlier than expected for a short break at Wood Farm before the Queen returned to work at Windsor this month.
Though never far from television screens and newspapers, with special addresses and a plethora of video calls to charities to help rally people through lockdown, it is understood the Queen was keen to get back to normal business.
The Porton Down trip had originally been scheduled for April but several weeks ago, the palace decided it was possible to go ahead, in what was intended as a very visible “back to work” message from the top. This week, as rising numbers of coronavirus cases loomed and a tiered lockdown system was introduced, the Queen and Duke remained committed to fulfilling their promise.
A source said: “Although virtual engagements have proven popular at recognising the invaluable work done by many individuals and organisations, being out and about just feels a better way to create memories for people that will last forever and be passed down through generations.”
More engagements will be considered on a daily basis, it is understood, balancing duty and government guidance. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have already returned to in-person engagements, along with the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.
Seven months after the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey, her last major appearance in public, the Queen yesterday left lockdown in fine fashion, from questioning why she had to get into her Bentley instead of making the short walk from her helicopter to joking that she’d signed the guest book so “it proves we’ve been here, doesn’t it?”.
During the demonstration with sniffer dog Max, the Queen asked: “Is he more interested in the ball or the explosives?” – smiling knowingly when told: “Always the ball.”
Meeting staff who had helped with the UK’S Covid response, including Prof Tim Atkins, the Queen remarked of the virus: “It’s doubling itself again”, adding: “I suppose it was expected?” Prof Atkins said: “Predicted ma’am, yes.”
“With all these horrible new things ...” she said.
“Absolutely, it’s an emerging new disease” said Prof Atkins.
The Queen and Duke later unveiled a plaque to officially open the £30 million Energetics Analysis Centre. The Duke presented the Firmin Sword of Peace to Col Mike Duff, on behalf of the Army’s HQ South West in recognition of the support it gave to Salisbury after the Novichok attack in March 2018.
After the 50-minute visit, the Duke stayed on at Porton Down to view the Air Force’s newest fast jet, the F35.
Gary Aitkenhead, the lab’s chief executive, said: “During the pandemic everyone wanted to come in to work to help the national effort. It was fantastic the Queen and Duke could come here today, safely, and recognise that.”