A new report has revealed an aide at Buckingham Palace tested positive for the coronavirus while the Queen was still living at the London royal residence.
On Thursday, the 93-year-old monarch and her husband Prince Philip, 98, were moved to Windsor Castle shortly after the diagnosis, but royal sources have reassured fans that Her Majesty is in good health.
According to a report by The Sun, every member of Royal Household staff the aide came into contact with has since been placed in self-isolation, but it’s unknown if they were specifically in contact with the Queen herself.
“The worker tested positive before the Queen left for Windsor. But the Palace has 500 members of staff so, like any workplace, it’s not inconceivable it would be affected in some stage,” a source told The Sun.
It is understood the unnamed staffer is recovering, although a palace spokesperson refused to omment on individual members of staff.
“In line with the appropriate guidance and our own processes, we have taken the necessary actions to protect all employees and people involved.”
Despite being in isolation at Windsor Castle, the Queen is set to film a rare television address to the nation in order to boost morale of the British people.
According to reports, the broadcast is to take place in the coming weeks and the monarch is “waiting for the right moment” to deliver her speech.
Buckingham Palace has been in talks with the British prime minister’s team at 10 Downing Street, with a source from Boris Johnson’s offices explaining: “The voice of Her Majesty will provide calm reassurance that, ultimately, we will get through this.”
The Queen shares an annual broadcast every year on Christmas Day, but the last time she addressed the nation in this way was following the death of the Queen Mother in 2002.
WATCH BELOW: Queen Elizabeth pays tribute to The Queen Mother. Post continues after video…
The Queen isn’t the only royal trying to boost morale during these trying times.
Over the weekend, Prince William and Duchess Catherine paid a visit to the London Ambulance Service in south London, where they thanked healthcare workers at the frontline fighting the virus.
Dressed in a pink Marks and Spencer trouser suit, the Duchess of Cambridge looked radiant as she and Prince William spoke to NHS 111 workers answering calls at all hours, as London is the city most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Royal biographer Nigel Cawthorne revealed that Prince William will most likely step up when it comes to royal duties, as the Queen and Prince Charles step back during the coronavirus chaos.
“There has to be a physical presence to the monarchy, not just a virtual one,” the royal expert told the Daily Mail.
“He’s third-in-line to the throne and in robust health like his brother, and COVID-19 is unlikely to be any serious threat for him or his wife or children. He will do a great job.”