The Queen’s diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed
by Buckingham Palace on Sunday, and the monarch is understood to be undertaking
light duties as she recovers from mild symptoms.
In her first public statement since the news
of her illness broke, the Queen sent a thoughtful and heartfelt message of
congratulations.
Writing to the British women’s and men’s curling teams following their
success at the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, the monarch, 95, expressed her pride.
She wrote: “I send my warmest congratulations to the Team GB
Women’s Curling team on your outstanding performance in winning the Gold Medal
at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, following the Silver Medal achieved
by the Men’s Curling team yesterday.”
She continues: “I know that your local communities and people
throughout the United Kingdom will join me in sending our good wishes to you,
your coaches and the friends and family who have supported you in your great
success.”
Her Royal Highness is the third person in her close family to test
positive for the coronavirus in the last few weeks.
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The Queen during an in-person engagement before her diagnosis
Her eldest son Prince Charles became
ill for the second time earlier this
month, and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall tested positive on
Valentine’s Day and self-isolated as a result.
The Queen was monitored for symptoms after meeting with the Prince and
was able to continue in-person duties afterward,
including a meeting with incoming Defence Services Secretary Major General
Eldon Millar and his predecessor Rear Admiral James Macleod on Wednesday.
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Charles and Camilla tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month
The Queen is understood to be triple vaccinated but she had been
on doctors’ orders to rest since
mid-October, after canceling a run of engagements and spending a night in
hospital undergoing preliminary tests.
During her meeting on Wednesday, she also appeared to comment on a
small issue with her mobility, as a video
circulated on social media saw her pointing to her left leg or foot, and
commenting: “Well, as you can see, I can’t move.”
