Prince Charles is out of self-isolation: Palace confirms 71-year-old future king is in ‘good health’ after recovering from coronavirus – but Camilla remains in quarantine at Balmoral
Prince Charles was today allowed out of self-isolation one week after being diagnosed with coronavirus and is in ‘good health’, royal aides have said.
The 71-year-old Prince of Wales had a ‘mild’ form of the illness which first saw him feel unwell two weekends ago before flying to Birkhall in Aberdeenshire.
The heir-to-the-throne had begun to feel ill on March 21 at his Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire before travelling up to Scotland the following day.
His wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall tested negative for the infection and is without any symptoms, but will stay in self-isolation until the end of the week.
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall greet guests during the Commonwealth Reception at Marlborough House in London on Commonwealth Day on March 9
The couple have been staying at Birkhall, their Scottish retreat on the Balmoral estate, and Charles was tested by the NHS on Monday of last week.
His self-isolation lasted seven days based on government and medical guidelines, and he will continue to be able to hold meetings and go for exercise.
A Clarence House spokesman said: ‘Clarence House has confirmed today that, having consulted with his doctor, the Prince of Wales is now out of self-isolation.’
Meanwhile it emerged yesterday that one of the Queen’s footmen has tested positive for coronavirus, sparking further fears for the monarch’s health.
Prince Charles with his wife Camilla, the Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9
However Buckingham Palace insisted again that the 93-year-old Queen was in good health and that every precaution was being taken.
It is understood the staff member’s duties included walking the Queen’s dogs, corgi-dachshund crosses Candy and Vulcan, and bringing her food.
Both of these duties would have brought the pair into close proximity. It is not known, however, when they fell sick.
The footman is now self-isolating, according to The Sun on Sunday. The Queen is at Windsor Castle with the Duke of Edinburgh, where they arrived on March 19.
(From left) The Queen, Charles, Camilla, William and Kate at Westminster Abbey on March 9
Charles last saw his mother on March 12 for a meeting at Buckingham Palace. Doctors say the earliest he could have become contagious was the next day.
The footman was promoted to a role closer to the Queen six months ago and worked in her private apartments at Buckingham Palace.
A source was quoted as saying: ‘Everyone is terrified, not just for themselves but also for the Queen and the duke.’
Last week, a member of the Scottish Parliament expressed surprise that the Prince was tested for Covid-19 on the NHS.
Joan McAlpine, SNP MSP for the South of Scotland, wished him a speedy recovery but added: ‘Given that his symptoms are said to be mild, like many I wonder how he was tested when many NHS and social care workers cannot get tested.
‘My nephew, who has serious asthma and a chest infection was recently refused a test.’
Royal sources insisted, however, that both Charles and Camilla met ‘local criteria for testing’.
The NHS Scotland website says people will only generally be tested for Covid-19 if they ‘have a serious illness that requires admission to hospital’.