Queen Elizabeth Is Heading to Windsor Early for the Easter Holiday Amid the Coronavirus Outbreak
Queen Elizabeth is canceling her annual garden parties and heading to Windsor early for the Easter holiday because of the novel coronavirus outbreak. This morning, Buckingham Palace issued a new statement about changes to the royal family's schedule because of COVID-19.
"As a sensible precaution and for practical reasons in the current circumstances, a number of changes are being made to The Queen’s diary," reads the statement.
"In consultation with the Medical Household and Government, a number of public events with large numbers of people due to have been attended by The Queen, and other Members of the Royal Family, in the coming months will be cancelled or postponed."
Audiences at Buckingham Palace this week will continue as planned, and future audiences "will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, in line with the appropriate advice."
The statement also shared that the Queen "will move to Windsor Castle for the Easter period on Thursday 19th March, one week earlier than planned." She will likely stay there after the Easter period.
Large scale events involving members of the royal family are also being reevaluated. The annual Maundy Service at St George’s Chapel has been cancelled. So have three Buckingham Palace garden parties planned for this May. Per the statement, "Guests already invited to these Garden Parties will be asked to attend in 2021."
Further garden parties planned for the Not Forgotten Association and the National Trust have also been canceled.
This is the latest in a series of precautions the royal family is taking to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus—and to protect the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, and Camilla, all of whom are 70+ years old, and therefore in an age bracket that puts them at elevated risk for serious illness from COVID-19.
Last week, Prince Charles and Camilla postponed their upcoming tour of Jordan, Cyprus, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Queen canceled two visits around the UK amid COVID-19 concerns.
And yesterday, after Boris Johnson issued a number of recommendations regarding the novel coronavirus, Buckingham Palace responded with a statement, saying: "We are studying the implications of the new Government advice and its impact on forthcoming events."
Questions still remain regarding this year's Trooping the Colour celebration in June, events marking the 75th anniversary of VE Day in May, and the forthcoming State Visit by the Emperor and Empress of Japan. According to Buckingham Palace, additional announcements "will be made in due course, in consultation with Government."
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