Queen postpones more virtual meetings due to Covid symptoms

She will continue with ‘light duties’, Buckingham Palace said

The Queen will continue with ‘light duties’ after testing positive for Covid (PA)

The Queen has postponed two more virtual meetings following her Covid diagnosis, according to Buckingham Palace.

The 95-year-old monarch tested positive for the virus on Sunday, when she was said to be experiencing “mild cold-like symptoms”. Earlier this week, she cancelled meetings because she was not feeling well enough.

A palace spokesperson said: “The two virtual audiences that had previously been scheduled to take place today will now be rescheduled for a later date. Her Majesty is continuing with light duties. No other engagements are scheduled for this week.”

The Queen is believed to have had three Covid vaccine doses, and her doctors will be on hand to monitor her condition. But there are concerns for her wellbeing, given her age and a recent health scare that saw her spend three months resting on doctors’ orders.

Palace statements saying the Queen is continuing with “light duties” have been seen as attempts to stave off alarm.

The Queen’s diagnosis at the weekend came after several people tested positive in an apparent Covid outbreak at Windsor Castle. Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, have recently had the virus.

In the autumn the Queen pulled out of attending the Cop26 climate change summit and Remembrance events due to a sprained back. She now regularly uses a walking stick and has been pictured looking more frail recently.

“Well, as you can see, I can’t move,” she remarked during an audience at Windsor last week.

The Queen has more engagements coming up soon. She is set to meet hundreds of dignitaries when she hosts the Diplomatic Reception at Windsor on 2 March. She is also due to attend Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Service on 14 March, followed by her late husband Prince Philip’s memorial service at the end of the month.

The monarch’s “light duties” include working on policy papers, Foreign Office telegrams, letters and other state papers, which she reads, signs and approves when needed. Despite her symptoms, the Queen held her weekly telephone audience with Boris Johnson on Wednesday, Buckingham Palace confirmed.