Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Russell Myers & Jennifer Newton

Queen Elizabeth seen for the first time since testing positive for Covid-19

The Queen has been seen for the first time since she tested positive for Covid-19 nine days ago.

Today, Her Majesty felt well enough to carry out two virtual engagements from Windsor Castle, holding audiences via videolink with two ambassadors.

She received His Excellency Mr Carles Jordana Madero, who presented the Letters of Recall of his predecessor and his own Letters of Credence as ambassador from the Principality of Andorra to the Court of St James’s.

The Queen also received His Excellency Mr Kedella Younous Hamidi, who presented his Letters of Credence as ambassador from the Republic of Chad to the Court of St James’s.

And although she could only be seen on screen, pictures show the Queen appearing to wear a vibrant green dress along with a pearl necklace and large brooch.

The Queen appears on screen via a videolink during a virtual audience today (PA)
The Queen on screen during a virtual audience with the Ambassador of Andorra, Carles Jordana Madero and Soraia Maria Valls Pinilla (PA)

The 95-year-old monarch is said to be making a good recovery and feeling "far better" following a bout of coronavirus after an outbreak of cases at Windsor Castle, royal sources said.

Her audiences today come over a week after Buckingham Palace confirmed Her Majesty had tested positive for the virus and was experiencing mild symptoms.

At the time, the Palace insisted the Queen, who is triple vaccinated, would be continuing light duties at her desk.

And just hours after testing positive, she signed off a message to the Team GB Men’s and Women’s Curling teams, following their success at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games and the next day issued a message of condolence to the Brazilian president over flooding in his country.

The Queen during a video call with the Ambassador of Chad, Kedella Younous Hamidi (PA)

Love the royals? Sign up for the Mirror's daily newsletter to get all the latest news on the Queen, Charles, Kate, Wills, Meghan, Harry and the rest of The Firm. Click here to sign up.

However, she did cancel two virtual audiences she was due to hold last week due to her symptoms - although last Wednesday she was well enough to hold her weekly audience with the Prime Minister Boris Johnson over the phone.

But on Sunday she went to Frogmore on her Windsor Estate to meet younger members of her family.

Those gathered to meet her for the first time since her diagnosis included Princess Beatrice, her baby daughter Sienna and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their three children.

Royal sources have confirmed the Queen was suffering from a "croaky throat" but has recovered.

A senior palace source said: “The Queen is feeling well enough to carry out the audiences.

“Her Majesty will continue with other duties and has some private engagements in her diary.”

The Queen last carried out an in-person engagement at Windsor Castle almost two weeks ago, meeting the incoming Defence Services Secretary Major General Eldon Millar and his predecessor Rear Admiral James Macleod.

The Queen appears on screen via a videolink during a virtual audience today (PA)

However many royal watchers were concerned when she was overheard saying she couldn't move in footage from the engagement.

The monarch could be heard remarking loudly: “Oh. I’m here! I thought you might have just stayed in there for ages. Good morning.”

Asked how she was, the smiling Queen, wearing a floral dress and holding a walking stick, pointed to her left leg or foot and responded: “Well as you can see I can’t move.”

Covid is the latest in a number of health issues for the Queen, but she was said to be feeling "much better" after a tough few months at the end of last year.

She was forced to spend the night in hospital in October after receiving treatment for an unexplained condition and pulled out of the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in central London due to a sprained back.

The Queen during her last in-person engagement almost two weeks ago (PA)

However, she has a number of major engagements coming up in March.

She is due to attend the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 14 and then the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial service, also at the Abbey, on March 29.

The Queen had also been down to attend a Diplomatic Reception at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, but this has now been postponed following advice from the Foreign Secretary. It is understood the decision was made because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Her Majesty was already being closely monitored for Covid after the heir to the throne Prince Charles caught the virus just days after he and his mother had been in close contact earlier this month.

The Queen has a number of engagements in the diary for the end of this month (BUCKINGHAM PALACE/AFP via Getty)

At the time, Buckingham Palace refused to confirm whether the 95-year-old monarch had tested positive or negative, fuelling fears for her health, but palace sources insisted she was not displaying symptoms of the virus at the time.

The Prince of Wales, 73, has now finished his period of self-isolation.

It was later revealed that his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, had also tested positive and was isolating.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.