Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, tests positive for the coronavirus
The Washington Post · William Booth
LONDON - 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 official residence and office.
Prince Charles is a man of robust health, who enjoys physical activity, including horse riding.
"He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual," the spokesman said.
"The Duchess of Cornwall has also been tested but does not have the virus. In accordance with Government and medical advice, the Prince and the Duchess are now self-isolating at home in Scotland. The tests were carried out by the NHS in Aberdeenshire where they met the criteria required for testing," Clarence House said.
The statement continues, "it is not possible to ascertain from whom the Prince caught the virus owing to the high number of engagements he carried out in his public role during recent weeks."
Like many people, Charles has previously found it difficult to stop shaking hands. At a red-carpet event earlier this month for the Prince's Trust, a charity he founded that helps vulnerable young people, he laughed at himself trying to not shake hands. He extended and then quickly withdrew his hand to those waiting to greet him - twice. In a video posted on social media, Charles can be overheard saying "oh sorry" before he following up with a "namaste" gesture.
In a statement texted to The Washington Post, Buckingham Palace said that Charles last saw his 93-year-old mother, Queen Elizabeth II, two weeks ago. The statement 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."