Price Charles
AFTER CHARLES’ BATTLE WITH CORONAVIRUS, THE ROYAL FAMILY TAKES EXTRA PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT THE QUEEN
After battling coronavirus, Charles takes action to keep the royal family safe.
UNITED IN SPIRIT
“We are all being advised to change for the greater good.”
— Queen Elizabeth II
There will be no parade or royal family photograph from the balcony of Buckingham Palace to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 94th birthday this year. For the first time since 1955, London’s annual Trooping the Colour celebration of the queen will not take place as usual.
Canceling this popular event, which brings millions of revelers to London each year, is just one small way the royal family is uniting with the rest of the world to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. “All upcoming royal appearances are on hold, for at least the next three to six months, if not more,” explains a royal insider, who notes that the family is doing everything it can to protect Queen Elizabeth. “She is in the higher-risk bracket, so they are very worried about her.”
In the past two weeks, Prince Charles, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and one of Elizabeth’s household footmen have tested positive for the virus — which sent a wave of fear through the palace. “None of her family members are allowed to go near her, apart from Prince Philip,” explains the insider, who adds that the queen and her husband, 98, have relocated to Windsor Castle, her country retreat. “She counts herself very lucky to have Philip’s company. He has been ill for months and she appreciates every day they have left together.” Prince Charles, 71, has recently recovered from a mild case of the virus and has left self-isolation with his doctor’s approval. His illness, which was revealed on March 25, especially frightened Prince Harry, who was a continent away in North America. “Harry took it very badly and got emotional on the phone. Despite their ups and downs, he loves his father,” says the insider. “The silver lining in all this is that the pandemic has brought Harry and Charles closer together.” Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle, who always had a soft spot for Charles, also got on the phone to ask how he was feeling and send her love.
Prince William and Kate Middleton, meanwhile, have transitioned to life in the country with their three children, Prince George, 6, Princess Charlotte, 4, and Prince Louis, 23 months. “William told his father that he was willing to step up and do whatever he could,” says the insider. While Charles appreciated the gesture, it wasn’t necessary as he remained well enough to keep up with the news and participate in conference calls. “The senior royals are used to having face-to-face meetings with
the queen to discuss world events and current projects,” explains the insider, who says that these conversations are continuing by phone and the internet while the family remains separated. “In many ways, it means they all have to work twice as hard to stay up on things.”
It’s likely the family will also be forced to send their greetings and love to Elizabeth remotely on her April 21 birthday. “She’ll miss not being with them, but her chef is baking her a chocolate birthday cake,” confides the insider. “The queen jokes that she’ll need a very big cake to fit 94 candles!”