Britain's Queen Elizabeth II tests Covid positive but symptoms 'mild': palace

Britain's 95-year-old Queen Elizabeth II tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday but her symptoms are "mild" and she intends to continue with light duties at her Windsor Castle residence, aides said.

The news comes after Prince Charles, the queen's eldest son and heir, tested positive on 10 February, two days after meeting his mother at Windsor.

No information was given then on whether Queen Elizabeth - who this month marked 70 years on the throne - had taken any Covid tests herself.

She 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.

"Buckingham Palace confirm that the queen has today tested positive for Covid," a statement from the palace said.

"Her Majesty is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms but expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week," it said.

"She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines."

While normally secretive about the queen's health, the palace has previously confirmed she is fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Britain's Press Association said "it is understood a number of cases have also been diagnosed among the Windsor Castle team".

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wished the queen a rapid recovery. "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," he said on Twitter.

Sajid Javid, the UK's health secretary, also tweeted: "Wishing Her Majesty The Queen a quick recovery."

Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, likewise took to the social media site to express his best wishes for "a speedy recovery". He added: "Get well soon, Ma'am."

Nationwide celebrations to mark the queen's Platinum Jubilee are due to be held in June.

On the eve of the 70th anniversary of her accession on 6 February, the monarch held a reception for locals at Sandringham, her estate in eastern England.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II said she wants daughter-in-law Camilla to hold the role of queen consort once her son Charles ascends to the throne in a major statement timed to mark her jubilee.https://t.co/o6xHbKVCHu

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) February 6, 2022

It was reportedly her largest in-person public engagement since an unexplained health issue saw her spend a night in hospital last October.

The Covid scare comes with the royal family mired in scandals.

The queen's second son, Prince Andrew, settled a sexual assault civil lawsuit in the United States last week, reportedly for £12 million ($16.3 million) - which newspapers claim she will partly fund.

Meanwhile police in London have said they are investigating claims that a Saudi tycoon was offered UK honours in return for donations to Prince Charles's charitable foundation.

The queen, whose husband Prince Philip died aged 99 last April, has spent much of the coronavirus pandemic at Windsor Castle, with a reduced number of household staff dubbed "HMS Bubble".

Respecting the government's then rules on Covid distancing, she sat alone at Philip's funeral.