Royals on lockdown! European monarchies lead by example and work from home


Royals on lockdown! European monarchs and their heirs lead by example and work from home as people are urged to stay inside to curb the spread of coronavirus

  • Royal families across Europe are working from home during the pandemic
  • Dutch, Norwegian and Belgian royals have all shared lockdown snaps online
  • Images show the royals conducting business on laptops and via video calls
  • Comes after Boris Johnson asked Britons to remain indoors as much as possible 
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

Royals from across Europe are leading by example and working from home during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Official Instagram accounts for the monarchies of Belgium, France and Denmark, among others, have all shared posts in recent days showing family members working from their royal residences.

Many of the images have been shared alongside captions urging people to stay at home and thanking health workers for their tireless efforts. 

It comes as governments around the world work to stop the rapid spread of COVID-19, which has so far claimed more than 16,000 lives worldwide. 

SWEDEN: Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her husband Prince Daniel yesterday shared this photo of them speaking to a number of agencies in order to better understand the national coronavirus situation. The photo was taken at Haga Palace, in Stockholm, where they live

NORWAY: Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, who is married to Crown Princess Mette-Marit, shared this photo showing him on a video conference call with Norwegian healthcare workers. It was posted alongside a caption thanking them for their hard work during the pandemic

NORWAY: Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, who is married to Crown Princess Mette-Marit, shared this photo showing him on a video conference call with Norwegian healthcare workers. It was posted alongside a caption thanking them for their hard work during the pandemic

BELGIUM: King Philippe of Belgium is seen speaking to elderly care home residents via a video link from his office in Château de Laeken, the palace on the outskirts of Brussles where he lives with his wife Mathilde and their four children. The photo was shared on Instagram on Monday

BELGIUM: King Philippe of Belgium is seen speaking to elderly care home residents via a video link from his office in Château de Laeken, the palace on the outskirts of Brussles where he lives with his wife Mathilde and their four children. The photo was shared on Instagram on Monday

Among those posting online is Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway, who shared a series of photos showing him taking part in a video conference calls with local health leaders. 

In the caption he thanked Norway’s doctors, nurses and medical staff for their hard work. 

Meanwhile Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, showed how he had FaceTimed Red Cross volunteers working at a local outpost. 

Elsewhere Queen Mathilde of Belgium shared an Instagram video addressing the nation in which she encouraged young people to read more while in lockdown. 

DENMARK: Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, shared this photo of his FaceTime call with volunteers at a local Red Cross centre. The photo, shared over the weekend, is thought to have been taken at Fredensborg Palace, where he lives with his wife Crown Princess Mary

DENMARK: Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, shared this photo of his FaceTime call with volunteers at a local Red Cross centre. The photo, shared over the weekend, is thought to have been taken at Fredensborg Palace, where he lives with his wife Crown Princess Mary

NETHERLANDS: King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands was photographed in his office at the royal palace in The Hague. King Willem-Alexander continues to carry out limited engagements, but these all pertain to better understanding the spread of coronavirus

NETHERLANDS: King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands was photographed in his office at the royal palace in The Hague. King Willem-Alexander continues to carry out limited engagements, but these all pertain to better understanding the spread of coronavirus

MONACO: Prince Albert II Monaco published this photo of him in self-isolation after he was confirmed to have COVID-19. The royal, who shares twins Jacques and Gabriella with wife Queen Charlene, is now feeling better and has since carried out a handful of engagements

MONACO: Prince Albert II Monaco published this photo of him in self-isolation after he was confirmed to have COVID-19. The royal, who shares twins Jacques and Gabriella with wife Queen Charlene, is now feeling better and has since carried out a handful of engagements

The British Royal Family has already gone into lockdown, with engagements cancelled and the Queen leaving London for Windsor. 

The Duke of Edinburgh was flown by helicopter from Sandringham to join Her Majesty in Windsor.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge recently paid an unannounced visit to an NHS 111 call centre to thank staff for their hard work on behalf of the family.

BELGIUM: Queen Mathilde shared an Instagram video encouraging young people to read more while on lockdown. The video is thought to have been filmed in Château de Laeken

BELGIUM: Queen Mathilde shared an Instagram video encouraging young people to read more while on lockdown. The video is thought to have been filmed in Château de Laeken

This took place before Boris Johnson announced more stringent measures on Monday night in a bid to tackle the pandemic. 

Speaking from Downing Street in a televised address, Mr Johnson urged the nation to stay at home and said people should only leave for food, medicine, exercise or work if ‘absolutely necessary’. 

He also announced a ban on all social gatherings of more than two people in a desperate attempt to stop the spread of the deadly disease. 

SWEDEN: King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Sylvia have been at Stenhammar's castle in Södermanland for some time. The couple this week shared this photo on Instagram

SWEDEN: King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Sylvia have been at Stenhammar’s castle in Södermanland for some time. The couple this week shared this photo on Instagram