Prince Charles, the future king of Britain, has tested positive for coronavirus. His spokesman said Wednesday he has mild symptoms “but otherwise remains in good health.”
The announcement that the 71-year-old Prince of Wales was suffering from the virus came from Clarence House, his royal residence, and offices in London.
The son of Queen Elizabeth II is now the most high-profile patient in the realm. Several members of parliament, sports figures and a prominent epidemiologist have also been stricken.
Prince Charles has been a man in robust health who enjoys physical activity, including hedge trimming and horseback riding. He played polo until 2002, when he retired from the sport.
He is first in line to succeed his mother, the queen. And speaking of the 93-year-old monarch, one of the first questions royal correspondents were asking was: When was the last time Charles saw his mother? And was he infected then?
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “Her Majesty The Queen remains in good health. The Queen last saw The Prince of Wales briefly on the morning of 12th March and is following all the appropriate advice with regard to her welfare. We will not be commenting further.”
The World Health Organisation says the incubation period for the novel coronavirus can be as long as 14 days.
The queen, her retinue and her faithful corgi, Candy, left Buckingham Palace in London a week ago to hunker down at Windsor Castle, west of the capital.
She was joined by her husband, Prince Philip, who traveled by helicopter from his home at Wood Farm at Sandringham estate in Norfolk. The 98-year-old Philip has retired from public life.
In 1593, the first Queen Elizabeth and her royal court moved to Windsor Castle to escape the ravages of plague in London, and so there is long precedent.
(c) 2020, The Washington Post · Karla Adam, William Booth
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