Prince Charles has tested positive for Coronavirus, the Palace has confirmed.
The 71-year-old’s Palace team at Clarence House issued an official statement on Wednesday evening (AEDT), where it was confirmed the British heir to the throne was “displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health”.
The Palace confirmed further details as to the Prince’s current condition, explaining that it was not possible to ascertain where or whom he might have contracted the virus from, “owing to the high number of engagements he carried out in his public role during recent weeks”.
It was however confirmed that Charles’ wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall had not contracted the virus.
Up until now, the pair had been self isolating together in a residence they own in Scotland.
The Palace explained Charles and Camilla had both been tested by the NHS in Aberdeenshire after both Charles and Camilla “met the criteria required for testing”.
As for Charle’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II, it seems officials are confident in her health and wellbeing.
In a statement, the Palace shared: “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.”
Fears for the Prince grew last week when it was revealed he attended an engagement with Prince Albert of Monaco, who was later confirmed to have tested positive for COVID-19 himself.
The two royals both attended an event for WaterAid in early March, and according to Royal Central, the pair shared a table alongside government representatives, community members and business leaders.
The publication noted that the pair are believed to have been in “close proximity” to each other, which no doubt raised alarm bells for the British royal and his Palace staff when Albert later returned a positive result.
But that’s not to say Charles hasn’t been taking precautions.
In fact, for a number of weeks the royal has abided by strict new royal (and global) protocol, opting not shaking hands with anyone.
The feat was noted by a number of royal watchers, who enjoyed seeing Prince Charles utilise other ways of greeting guests at formal events.
In fact, during one such occurrence, the Prince almost forgot himself after he went to shake the hand of someone attending the Princes’ Trust Awards in London.
About half way into the gesture, the Prince looked noticeably surprised and swiftly turned the greeting into a perfect Namaste.
We hope he keeps well and is on the road to a full recovery!
WATCH: See Prince Charles confuse a handshake greeting as he familiarises with the new protocol in the wake of COVID-19: