On Sunday, Queen of England, Elizabeth II tested positive for Covid-19.
According to reports, her symptoms were “mild.”
Politicians wished Britain’s longest-serving monarch a rapid recovery in her 70th year on the throne.
The news comes at a stressful time for the 95-year-old queen with scandals stalking her two eldest sons, Charles and Andrew.
It is also ill-timed for the UK government, in a week when embattled Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to declare a victory of sorts over the pandemic by announcing the scrapping of remaining legal restrictions in England.
The queen’s heir Prince Charles, 73, also tested positive a second time for the virus on February 10, two days after meeting his mother at Windsor Castle, west of London.
The queen who is believed to be triple-vaccinated resumed in-person audiences at the castle last week but complained to one attendee of suffering from stiffness and was photographed holding a walking stick.
A Buckingham Palace statement said: “Her Majesty is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms but expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week”.
“She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines.”
It issued a later statement in which the monarch sent her “warmest congratulations” to the British women’s and men’s curling teams after they won gold and silver medals respectively at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
“I’m sure I speak for everyone in wishing Her Majesty The Queen a swift recovery from Covid and a rapid return to vibrant good health,” Johnson tweeted, as members of his cabinet sent their own best wishes.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi also shared Johnson’s tweet, adding, “I wish Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth a speedy recovery and pray for her good health.”