Amid Global Coronavirus Concerns, the British Royal Family Carries On

From Town & Country

Earlier this month, when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were in Ireland on their first official visit to the country, Prince William made a quip about the novel coronavirus. Speaking with a paramedic from Ireland's National Ambulance Service, he said, "I bet everyone's like 'I've got coronavirus, I'm dying,' and you're like 'no, you've just got a cough.'"

The heir to the throne also questioned whether the media has been over-hyping the disease, which at that point was just starting to spread outside of hotspots in China, South Korea, Iran, and Italy.

"Does it seem quite dramatic about coronavirus at the moment? Is it being a little hyped up, do you think, by the media?" he asked.

Now, just a little over a week later, COVID-19 is officially classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, and 590 people have tested positive for the virus in the UK, 8 of whom have died from the disease.

Given recent developments, the British royal family's outward concern over the virus seems to have shifted, but only slightly. They have stopped making flippant remarks, but overall things seem to be business as usual for the Windsors.

Several of Europe's other royal families are taking strong measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Notably, Queen Margrethe of Denmark just canceled celebrations surrounding her upcoming her 80th birthday, and King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway are self-quarantining as they recently returned from Jordan.

Today, it was also confirmed that Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI of Spain have been tested for COVID-19, as they had close interactions with a government official who has tested positive for the disease. According to the Express, "The results are expected to be made public tomorrow."

Still, for the most part, the British royals seem to be keeping calm and carrying on, as is their modus operandi. The Windsors have yet to publicly cancel any events or appearances because of the novel coronavirus, even large gatherings like last night's Prince's Trust Awards in London. Princess Anne is also expected to attend the Cheltenham Festival tomorrow, a horse-racing event that draws tens of thousands of people.

And Prince Charles only recently started to forgo handshakes, instead opting for a small bow and "namaste" gesture, but the royals are continuing to perform investitures, which by their very nature require close contact.

Royal reporter Richard Palmer noted on Twitter that, "Palace officials are keeping the situation under constant review though and will act on government advice."

So for now, the royals will keep calm and cary on, but given that the monarchy's two leaders (a 93-year-old matriarch and her 71-year-old son and heir) are both in an age bracket that puts them at risk for serious illness from COVID-19, it seems almost impossible that their typical duties—shaking hands, speaking closely with strangers, and traveling to unfamiliar places—wont have to shift as the virus spreads.

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