Prince William Had COVID-19 in April But Kept His Diagnosis a Secret

From Town & Country

In March, it was announced that Prince Charles had COVID-19, but since then no other members of the British royal family have come forward and said they have tested positive. However, it has now emerged that Prince William was also struck with the virus not long after his father in early April, but decided to keep his diagnosis a secret.

The Sun newspaper reported today that William was treated by doctors at his country home Anmer Hall in Norfolk and followed government guidelines by isolating. It is understood that neither Kate nor the couple’s three children caught the virus.

“After seeing medics and testing positive - which was obviously quite a shock given how fit and healthy he is - William was determined it should be business as usual though,” the newspaper quoted a source as saying, adding: "He was determined to fulfill his engagements." Despite this determination to continue to work, the newspaper also reported that William was “hit pretty hard by the virus” even saying that at one point he was “struggling to breathe.”

While recovering, William carried out engagements digitally throughout April. He opened the NHS Nightingale Hospital just outside of Birmingham on April 16 via video call, and said in a speech: “Let me start by reiterating all that has been said so far and paying tribute to the incredible work that NHS staff across the country have been doing to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. Their selfless commitment has touched the hearts of the entire nation. The building you are standing in is yet another example of how people across the country have risen to this unprecedented challenge.”

Questions were asked this morning as to why the Duke of Cambridge and his advisors decided not to let the public know about his diagnosis. One theory for not disclosing the information is that William did it want people to worry or to put the focus on him at a time when the country was dealing with a lot of challenges.

"The Queen delivered her We Will Meet Again address, and he just didn't want to worry people," The Sun quoted a source as saying.

"He felt there were more important things going on in the country."

However, some reporters and commentators questioned the Prince’s decision not to follow his father's lead and make an announcement. Royal correspondent for the Daily Express, Richard Palmer, posted on Twitter: “If the future King contracts a potentially fatal virus that the entire world is worried about during a lockdown and he and those around him cover it up, that raises serious questions about whether we can trust anything he or his advisers say.”

In normal times, members of the royal family don’t tend to reveal information about their health unless they are forced to cancel public appearances or are hospitalized. Even when this happens, information about any condition is not always disclosed, such as when Prince Philip had an operation in 2013 which was only described by Buckingham Palace as an “exploratory operation” on his abdomen and no further details were given.

Kensington Palace declined to comment.

You Might Also Like

• 12 Weekend Getaway Spas For Every Type of Occasion

• What Your Favorite Champagne Brand Says About You

• Beauty Gurus Share Their Makeup Secrets for Older Women