Self-isolated Charles’s only companions... red squirrels
As Queen and Philip are living together for f irst time in 2 years
HE MAY be self- isolating as he recovers from the coronavirus, but it seems that has not stopped the Prince of Wales receiving visits from neighbours.
Red squirrels have been coming up to the door of his Scottish sitting room, according to an insider – and Prince Charles has been rewarding them with treats.
‘The Prince keeps nuts on his desk and likes to feed the red squirrels who come up to see him,’ said a well-placed source. ‘He’s keeping well and this connection to nature is a great source of comfort to him.’
Clarence House has said that the Prince – who is patron of the Red Squirrel Survival Trust – is in good spirits despite testing positive for the virus last week. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Prince Charles is said to be working in the sitting room of his Aberdeenshire home, which opens on to a sloping lawn leading to the banks of the River Muick.
The Prince normally receives a green box of official papers, but the documents are now being sent to him electronically.
The 71-year-old started showing ‘mild symptoms’ of the virus last weekend and last Sunday returned to Birkhall, his Scottish residence, with the Duchess of Cornwall.
Both were tested for Covid-19 on Monday and on Tuesday Charles was told he had the virus. Although Camilla was found not to have it, she too is staying at Birkhall but is living apart from her husband.
While the Duchess has been using the video conferencing app Houseparty to connect with friends and family, it is understood that Charles is making phone calls from the cosy retreat, where rooms are decorated with tartan wallpaper.
However, if the virus has forced Charles to spend time on his own, it has brought his parents together.
Since the Duke of Edinburgh’s retirement from public duties in 2017, he and the Queen have been living apart, communicating through phone calls and letters.
Prince Philip’s home has been Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, while the Queen has spent her working week at Buckingham Palace before returning to Windsor Castle, the residence where she is said to feel most at home, for the weekend.
However, the couple – who have been married for 72 years – are currently together in joint isolation at Windsor.
Although all church services have been cancelled across the country, it is understood the Queen will receive Holy Communion today in the private apartments.
Her Majesty is said to be in good health but in order to minimise contact with anyone who may be carrying the virus, staffing has been kept to a minimum. Her Majesty is said to be extremely conscious that no member of staff should be working if it can be avoided.
As a result, she has chosen to bypass her daily horse rides as the exercise would mean groomsmen working in the stables.
Last week it was announced that Trooping the Colour, the Queen’s annual birthday parade, was cancelled. The Queen’s carriage horses – Cleveland Bays and Windsor Greys, all named personally by her – have been turned out to graze in the absence of official duties.