Could other royals now have coronavirus? How Prince Charles met the Queen and family members from Prince William and Kate Middleton to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the 16 days before testing positive

  • Charles has had contact with possibly hundreds of people over past 16 days
  • He has carried out at least six engagements as the outbreak gathered pace
  • Charles last met with the Queen briefly at Buckingham Palace on March 12
  • Met senior members of the Royal Family apart from Prince Philip on March 9

Prince Charles has had contact with possibly hundreds of people over the past 16 days, including the Queen and Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The 71-year-old heir to the throne, who has tested positive for coronavirus, carried out at least six engagements as the outbreak gathered pace.

He last met with the Queen briefly at Buckingham Palace on March 12, with doctors believing he could have been contagious from the following day.

Charles also met all the senior members of the Royal Family apart from Prince Philip at the annual Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9.

Others royals at the service included the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who have since moved to Amner Hall in Norfolk with their three children.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have since returned to Vancouver Island before they step down as senior royals on March 31, were also there.

The Queen - who remains in 'good health' - travelled from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle last Thursday, where Philip joined her from Sandringham. 

Charles and the Queen at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9

Charles and the Queen at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9

(From left) The Queen, Prince Charles, his wife Camilla and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sit together during the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9

(From left) The Queen, Prince Charles, his wife Camilla and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sit together during the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with Prince William and Kate and Charles during the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with Prince William and Kate and Charles during the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9

Prince Charles walks past Prime Minister Boris Johnson at Westminster Abbey on March 9

Prince Charles walks past Prime Minister Boris Johnson at Westminster Abbey on March 9

Charles with the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle at the Westminster Abbey service on March 9

Charles with the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle at the Westminster Abbey service on March 9

A worker from Buckingham Palace tested positive for coronavirus while the Queen was still in residence last week. 

Every member of household staff they came into contact with was then placed into self-isolation. 

However it is not known what the affected worker did or if they had any personal contact with the Queen. 

Charles's last public engagement was on March 12 when he attended a dinner at Mansion House in aid of the Australian bushfire relief and recovery effort.

Prince Charles is greeted by Baroness Scotland as he arrives with the Duchess of Cornwall for the Commonwealth Reception at Marlborough House in London on March 9

Prince Charles is greeted by Baroness Scotland as he arrives with the Duchess of Cornwall for the Commonwealth Reception at Marlborough House in London on March 9

Charles with singer Alexandra Burke (second left) and other guests during the Commonwealth Reception at Marlborough House in London on Commonwealth Day on March 9

Charles with singer Alexandra Burke (second left) and other guests during the Commonwealth Reception at Marlborough House in London on Commonwealth Day on March 9

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at Marlborough House in London on March 9

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at Marlborough House in London on March 9

Prince Charles sits opposite Prince Albert of Monaco at the WaterAid charity's Water and Climate event at Kings Place in London on March 10

Prince Charles sits opposite Prince Albert of Monaco at the WaterAid charity's Water and Climate event at Kings Place in London on March 10

The Prince of Wales alongside Tim Wainwright from WaterAid at Kings Place on March 10

The Prince of Wales alongside Tim Wainwright from WaterAid at Kings Place on March 10

The Prince of Wales at the WaterAid charity's Water and Climate event in London on March 10

The Prince of Wales at the WaterAid charity's Water and Climate event in London on March 10

But following this Charles did have a number of private meetings with Highgrove and Duchy individuals, all of whom have been made aware.

Who Prince Charles has met over the past 16 days and where

Prince Charles has carried out a number of engagements in recent weeks at which he has had contact with possibly hundreds of people.

Here are his movements around London over the last two 16 days:

  • March 9 – Westminster Abbey: Charles and Camilla join senior members of the Royal Family including the Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and other dignitaries including Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the annual Commonwealth Service
  • March 9 - Marlborough House, London: Charles and Camilla are guests of Commonwealth secretary-general Baroness Scotland at an event to mark Commonwealth Day at the Commonwealth Secretariat.
  • March 10 - Kings Place: Charles sits opposite Prince Albert of Monaco, who later tests positive for coronavirus, at a WaterAid charity event
  • March 11 - London Palladium: Charles, the president of the Prince's Trust, meets award winners and the charity's supporters including Ant and Dec at the annual Prince's Trust Awards
  • March 12: Buckingham Palace – Investitures include making Baroness Benjamin a Dame. Charles also meets the Queen in the morning.
  • March 12 - Mansion House: Meets London Lord Mayor William Russell and the High Commissioner for Australia George Brandis at a dinner in aid of the Australian bushfire relief and recovery effort
  • Since March 12 – Locations TBC – Charles has a number of private meetings with Highgrove and Duchy individuals, all of whom have now been informed.
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On March 9, the day of the Commonwealth Service, Charles and his wife Camilla also went to Marlborough House in London for a reception.

They were guests of Commonwealth secretary-general Baroness Scotland at the event to mark Commonwealth Day at the Commonwealth Secretariat.

One day later, Charles was with Monaco's head of state Prince Albert II, who has since tested positive for coronavirus.

Charles is not believed to have shaken hands with Prince Albert but attended a roundtable meeting with him at the WaterAid Summit in London on that day. 

And on March 11 Charles, the president of the Prince's Trust, met award winners and the charity's supporters at the annual Prince's Trust Awards.

Celebrities he met at the event included actors Pierce Brosnan, James Norton and Richard E. Grant, Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood and presenters Ant and Dec.

Then one day later on March 12, Charles had a short meeting with the Queen in the morning at Buckingham Palace after holding an investitures ceremony.

Charles gave honours to children's TV presenter Baroness Benjamin, Scottish composer Helen Grime and The Searchers singer Michael Prendergast.

And later that evening, Charles attended a dinner at Mansion House in aid of the Australian bushfire relief and recovery effort.

He met with the Lord Mayor of the City of London, William Russell, and the High Commissioner for Australia, George Brandis, at the event.

The prince was pictured practising namastes instead of handshakes at his public events, including when the royals gathered for the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 9, and the Prince's Trust event on March 11.

Today, a Clarence House spokesman said Charles was displaying 'mild symptoms' but is in good health as he self isolates at home in Scotland.

Charles alongside footballer Harry Kane on stage at the annual Prince's Trust Awards 2020 held at the London Palladium on March 11

Charles alongside footballer Harry Kane on stage at the annual Prince's Trust Awards 2020 held at the London Palladium on March 11

The Prince of Wales using a Namaste gesture to greet television presenters Ant McPartlin (left) and Declan Donnelly at the Prince's Trust Awards 2020 at the London Palladium on March 11

The Prince of Wales using a Namaste gesture to greet television presenters Ant McPartlin (left) and Declan Donnelly at the Prince's Trust Awards 2020 at the London Palladium on March 11

The Prince of Wales greets Pierce Brosnan (centre) at the London Palladium on March 11

The Prince of Wales greets Pierce Brosnan (centre) at the London Palladium on March 11

Charles with Kate Garraway and Alexander Armstrong at the London Palladium on March 11

Charles with Kate Garraway and Alexander Armstrong at the London Palladium on March 11

The Prince of Wales speaks to Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood at the London Palladium on March 11

The Prince of Wales speaks to Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood at the London Palladium on March 11

Camilla, 72, who is also at Birkhall, in Aberdeenshire, has tested negative for the virus, so is separating herself from the prince.

Where are senior members of the Royal Family staying during the coronavirus outbreak?

The Queen: Travelled from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle on Thursday, March 19

Prince Philip: Travelled from Sandringham to Windsor Castle on Thursday, March 19

Prince Charles and Camilla: Flew from Clarence House in London to Balmoral in Aberdeenshire by RAF plane on Sunday, March 22

Prince William and Kate: Moved from Kensington Palace to Amner Hall in Norfolk with George, Charlotte and Louis

Prince Harry and Meghan: Staying on Vancouver Island in Canada with their son Archie

Prince Andrew: Staying at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park

Prince Edward and Sophie: Staying in Bagshot, Surrey

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Buckingham Palace said the 93-year-old monarch, who is staying at Windsor Castle with the 98-year-old Duke of Edinburgh, remains in good health and is following all appropriate advice.

Philip was not with the Queen at Buckingham Palace when she last met Charles on March 12.

Charles has spoken to both his sons the Duke of Cambridge, who is in Norfolk with the Duchess of Cambridge and their young children, and the Duke of Sussex, who is in Canada. He has also been in touch with the Queen.

In a statement, Clarence House said: 'The Prince of Wales has tested positive for Coronavirus. He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual.

'In accordance with Government and medical advice, the Prince and the Duchess are now self-isolating at home in Scotland.

'The tests were carried out by the NHS in Aberdeenshire where they met the criteria required for testing.

'It is not possible to ascertain from whom the Prince caught the virus owing to the high number of engagements he carried out in his public role during recent weeks.'

A source said his doctor's most conservative estimate was that the prince was contagious on March 13.

The Baroness Benjamin from London is made a Dame Commander of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on March 12

The Baroness Benjamin from London is made a Dame Commander of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on March 12

The Prince of Wales (right) talks to the Lord Mayor of London, William Russell, and his wife Hilary at a dinner for the Australian bushfire relief at Mansion House in London on March 12

The Prince of Wales (right) talks to the Lord Mayor of London, William Russell, and his wife Hilary at a dinner for the Australian bushfire relief at Mansion House in London on March 12

Charles with the Lord Mayor of the City of London, William Russell (left) and the High Commissioner for Australia, George Brandis (right) at a dinner at Mansion House on March 12

Charles with the Lord Mayor of the City of London, William Russell (left) and the High Commissioner for Australia, George Brandis (right) at a dinner at Mansion House on March 12

A small number of people living and working at Birkhall are remaining at the residence and self-isolating.

The source said the prince was up and about and not bedridden. Medical advice is that it is unlikely to escalate into a more serious case.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said today: 'Her Majesty The Queen remains in good health.

'The Queen last saw the Prince of Wales briefly after the investiture on the morning of March 12 and is following all the appropriate advice with regard to her welfare.'  

How Birkhall is Prince Charles and Camilla's idyllic royal retreat

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall spent their honeymoon at the idyllic royal retreat of Birkhall.

Now as they approach their 15th wedding anniversary next month, the pair are self-isolating from one another in their beloved Scottish home after Charles tested positive for coronavirus.

Each Easter and summer, Charles and Camilla head to the residence nestled in a picturesque glen on the Queen's private Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire.

Charles at a ceremony to present service medals in the grounds of Birkhall in 2012

Charles at a ceremony to present service medals in the grounds of Birkhall in 2012

The couple, who are known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland, usually spend their time fishing, painting or walking together near the secluded home, which used to belong to Charles's grandmother the Queen Mother.

But this stay will be vastly different as they isolate from each other and their small remaining household.

The Queen Mother used to described the home as a "little big house".

The grand hunting lodge was where heir to the throne Charles found sanctuary as a teenager with his grandmother during his unhappy school days at Gordonstoun.

Charles and Camilla at the Arboretum at Birkhall in the BBC documentary 'Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70' in November 2018

Charles and Camilla at the Arboretum at Birkhall in the BBC documentary 'Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70' in November 2018

He inherited it from the Queen Mother following her death in 2002.

In Charles's own words, the retreat is "a unique haven of cosiness and character".

Alongside his grandmother, Charles first learned to fish by the whisky-brown waters of the Muick which flows at the bottom of the lodge's garden.

During the turmoil of his divorce from Diana, Princess of Wales, it was at Birkhall that Charles sought refuge from media scrutiny.

Shortly after the death of the Queen Mother, the grieving Prince made the sad journey back to stay in the nostalgic house, where he was joined by Camilla.

Hidden from public view, the mansion dates to 1715 and was bought by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert for their son in 1849.

The Queen Mother, then the Duchess of York, first went there shortly after she married the Duke of York in 1923, when King George V suggested they use it as their Scottish home.

Charles's parents, the Queen, then known as Princess Elizabeth, and the Duke of Edinburgh, spent part of their honeymoon at Birkhall in 1947, after first travelling to Broadlands in Hampshire to the home of Philip's uncle Earl Mountbatten.

The Scottish mansion also played a crucial role in the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's romance when they were dating.

William and Kate enjoyed romantic breaks at the retreat, and reportedly told friends many of their happiest weekends were spent at the sanctuary.

In 2010, Camilla broke her left fibula while out hillwalking on the Balmoral estate.

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Prince Charles, 71, tests positive for coronavirus and is self-isolating in Balmoral, two weeks after meeting Monaco's Prince Albert - who also has killer bug – and 13 days since last seeing Queen

Prince Charles has tested positive for coronavirus and is self-isolating at his home on the Balmoral estate, it was revealed today.

The Prince of Wales, 71, has a 'mild' form of the illness and is with his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, who has tested negative and is without any symptoms of the virus, which has killed 435 and infected 8,200 more in the UK so far. 

A royal source said Charles' doctor's most conservative estimate was that the prince was contagious on March 13 - 24 hours after 'briefly' meeting his 93-year-old mother the Queen.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman has said: 'Her Majesty remains in good health. The Queen is following all the appropriate advice with regard to her welfare'.  It is not known if the monarch has been tested.

Charles has fallen ill after meeting coronavirus-stricken Prince Albert of Monaco, who tested positive five days ago, after he sat opposite the Prince of Wales at a WaterAid event in London on March 10

A Clarence House spokesman said: 'The Prince of Wales has tested positive for Coronavirus. He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual.  

'The Duchess of Cornwall has also been tested but does not have the virus. In accordance with Government and medical advice, the Prince and the Duchess are now self-isolating at home in Scotland. The tests were carried out by the NHS in Aberdeenshire where they met the criteria required for testing'. 

Charles' spokesman said it was impossible to say where he caught it from because of the large number of public engagements he has carried out in 'recent weeks' - but it will raise questions over whether he got it from Prince Albert and if the heir to the throne has spread it himself. 

There is some anger Prince Charles was tested by the NHS in Aberdeenshire when medical staff across the UK are being denied them, but NHS Scotland has said the heir to the throne qualified because of his age and his symptoms.

MailOnline has also plotted the prince's movements over the past 16 days and he attended at least six public engagements meeting hundreds of people including a string of Britain's biggest stars at his annual Prince's Trust awards at the Royal Albert Hall two weeks ago - the start of the coronavirus 14-day incubation period.

As coronavirus reached the royal family on the second day of Britain's lockdown, it has also emerged:

  • The Prime Minister's weekly audience with the Queen is now being done by telephone, with Her Majesty at Windsor with Prince Philip; 
  • The UK Government claims to have bought 3.5million coronavirus antibody tests - but refuses to reveal who makes them, when they will be available on the NHS or whether they'll be used at home;
  • Shoppers are still ignoring social distancing rules amid fears stores will become hotbeds of coronavirus, with growing calls for the Government lockdown to become more stringent
  • Sadiq Khan has defied instruction from Boris Johnson to increase London's dangerously cramped Tube services - saying services will be cut further because so many staff are off sick;  
  • London and Madrid now face worse coronavirus outbreaks than Italy's Lombardy region with deaths doubling every two days. But in better news Germany sees a drop in infection rate from 21% to 15%;
  • FTSE 100 reaches highest level in two weeks after rising nearly 5% with 258-point surge as world markets rally; 

Charles was last seen with the Queen on March 9 at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey and saw her again on March 12 - 24 hours before his doctor claims he became contagious. Her Majesty is well but taking appropriate medical advice.

MailOnline has plotted Charles movements over the past 16 days, where he is likely to have met hundreds of people over the past few weeks

March 10: Charles (left) sat across from Prince Albert of Monaco at an event in London on March 10 - Albert tested positive on March 20 but Charles' team say it is impossible to know how he caught it after a flurry of public engagements this month

March 11: Prince Charles has been continuing to carry out public engagements despite the coronavirus crisis - but has avoided shaking hands, shown here using a namaste gesture to Ant and Dec at the Prince's Trust Awards 2020

March 12: Charles stood in for his mother on investiture day 13 days ago - and saw his mother 'briefly' at Buckingham Palace that day

March 12: The Prince of Wales meets guests at a dinner at Mansion House in London, where he was guest of honour

March 12: The Prince of Wales meets guests at a dinner at Mansion House in London, where he was guest of honour

The Prince of Wales was last at Buckingham Palace on March 12  to carry out investiture on behalf of the Queen, who he also 'briefly' met.

Prince Albert, Boris Johnson and the Queen: Who Prince Charles has met over the past 16 days and where

Prince Charles has carried out a number of engagements over the past fortnight at which he has had contact with possibly hundreds of people.

Here are his movements around London over the last two weeks:

  • March 9 – Westminster Abbey: Charles and Camilla join members of the Royal Family including the Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and other dignitaries including Boris Johnson at the annual Commonwealth Service
  • March 9 - Marlborough House, London: Charles and Camilla are guests of Commonwealth secretary-general Baroness Scotland at an event to mark Commonwealth Day at the Commonwealth Secretariat.
  • March 10 - Kings Place: Charles sits opposite Prince Albert of Monaco, who later tests positive for coronavirus, at a WaterAid charity event
  • March 11 - London Palladium: Charles, the president of the Prince's Trust, meets award winners and the charity's supporters including Ant and Dec at the annual Prince's Trust Awards
  • March 12: Buckingham Palace – Investitures include making Baroness Benjamin a Dame. Charles also meets the Queen in the morning.
  • March 12 - Mansion House: Meets London Lord Mayor William Russell and the High Commissioner for Australia George Brandis at a dinner in aid of the Australian bushfire relief and recovery effort
  • Since March 12 – Charles has a number of private meetings with Highgrove and Duchy individuals, all of whom have now been informed. He flew to Balmoral on March 22.
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His coronavirus diagnosis will raise fears for the health of elderly royals including his mother and Prince Philip, 98, who are together at Windsor Castle, especially because of the high death rate among the elderly.

Charles is understood not to have seen his father for many weeks, possibly during the Megxit crisis talks at Sandringham, where his 98-year-old father was based until he flew by helicopter to Windsor last Thursday. 

William and Kate are at Anmer Hall in Norfolk, while Harry and Meghan are back in Canada, after both couples saw Charles at the Commonwealth service at Westminster Abbey on March 9

At the service no members of the royal family shook hands, with the Prince greeting people with Namastes and the Duke of Sussex elbow bumping Craig David. 

Two days later on March 11 he also met with a string of celebrities at the Prince's Trust Awards 2020 in London, attended by Ant and Dec, Philip Schofield, Fearne Cotton, Pierce Brosnan, Richard E Grant, Rolling Stones star Ronnie Wood, X Factor star Fleur East, Dina Asher-Smith and Craig David.  

Arriving at the Prince's Trust awards a fortnight ago, Charles twice extended his hand to greet people before withdrawing it at the last minute in mock horror and greeting then with a bow and the Hindi greeting 'Namaste'.

Turning to Dame Martina Milburn, the Trust's chief executive, the prince said: 'It's just so hard to remember not to.'

On the evening of March 12, after investitures at Buckingham Palace, The Prince of Wales with the Lord Mayor of the City of London and the High Commissioner for Australia at a Mansion House dinner in London, his last known public engagement. 

But he did have a number of private meetings with Highgrove and Duchy individuals, all of whom have been made aware of his illness.

He flew to Birkhall, his Balmoral home, with Camilla on March 22 - around the time he started feeling unwell. A small number of people living and working at Birkhall are remaining at the residence and self-isolating.  

Charles had been displaying 'mild symptoms' over the weekend before being tested on Monday. 

A royal source has said that medical advice given to the prince is that it is unlikely to escalate into a more serious case. 

Where are senior members of the Royal Family staying during the coronavirus outbreak?

The Queen: Travelled from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle on Thursday, March 19

Prince Philip: Travelled from Sandringham to Windsor Castle on Thursday, March 19

Prince Charles and Camilla: Flew from Clarence House in London to Balmoral in Aberdeenshire by RAF plane on Sunday, March 22

Prince William and Kate: Moved from Kensington Palace to Amner Hall in Norfolk with George, Charlotte and Louis

Prince Harry and Meghan: Staying on Vancouver Island in Canada with their son Archie

Prince Andrew: Staying at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park

Prince Edward and Sophie: Staying in Bagshot, Surrey

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Charles has spoken to his sons the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex, as well as the Queen, since he tested positive in an NHS test yesterday.   

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said Boris Johnson was informed about the Prince of Wales' positive test result this morning and he 'wishes the prince a speedy recovery'.

The spokesman said the Prime Minister's weekly audience with the Queen was now taking place by telephone.

A member of the Scottish Parliament has expressed surprise that the Prince of Wales was tested for Covid-19 on the NHS.

Joan McAlpine, SNP MSP for the South of Scotland, tweeted that she wishes Charles a speedy recovery, but added: 'Given that his symptoms are said to be mild, like many I wonder how he was tested when many NHS and social care workers cannot get tested.

'My nephew, who has serious asthma and a chest infection was recently refused a test. #coronavirus.'

It came  after Clarence House said Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were tested on the NHS in Aberdeenshire, where they are currently staying, as 'they met the criteria required for testing'. It also said Charles is experiencing 'mild symptoms'.

The NHS Scotland website says people will only generally be tested for Covid-19 if they 'have a serious illness that requires admission to hospital'.

Prince Charles is in an 'excellent position' to fight the coronavirus because of his healthy diet and lifestyle 

Prince Charles is in an 'excellent position' to beat coronavirus despite his age, according to a former GP.

Over-70s are among those most at risk of suffering serious complications as a result of the virus, which has killed 424 and infected 8,000 more in the UK so far.

But the Prince of Wales, who turned 71 in November, should be protected because of his healthy diet and lifestyle, according to Dr Sarah Brewer.  

She warned that he must avoid his royal relatives not living in the same household, adding that the 'same rules apply to everyone. He is not known to have any underlying health conditions.

Dr Brewer added: 'Should he become unwell, his underlying fitness and excellent medical care should ensure he makes a good recovery.' 

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Charles and Camilla are both aged over 70 - the age group told to take social distancing particularly seriously.

The Government advice states: 'We are advising those who are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus (Covid-19) to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures.'

The group includes anyone aged 70 or over, regardless of any medical conditions.

Asked about the Prince of Wales testing positive for coronavirus, Scotland's chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood said: 'I've discussed with the team in NHS Grampian and from the information I've been given its clear he was tested for clinical reasons and I'm pleased also that he is well and as with many people who have had this virus he has had a mild illness.'

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she sends her best wishes to the Prince of Wales.

Asked about the Government's instruction that people should not seek to escape the Covid-19 pandemic by travelling to the Highlands, she said: 'We want people to behave responsibly, we don't want people to see the Highlands and Islands of our country as places where they can outrun the virus.

'Obviously there are places where people have homes in Scotland and people will choose to go to their homes but we should all be responsible.' 

At Westminster, Shadow Commons leader Valerie Vaz said: 'Can I start by wishing Prince Charles a speedy recovery, I know he's tested positive for coronavirus and our gracious sovereign who's also in self-isolation.' 

Around 1.5 million in England fall into a more serious group and have been told to stay at home for 12 weeks.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT PRINCE CHARLES' MEDICAL HISTORY? 

The Prince of Wales Prince Charles's medical history isn't publicly known - but he has had a catalogue of injuries over the years.

Concerns for his health were sparked in November when he was pictured with swollen hands and feet on the first day of his royal tour in India.

As he removed his shoes to step into a Sikh temple in New Delhi, the 70-year-old's fingers and toes were red and swollen.

Swollen feet can have many causes, among them gout and diabetes - but there is no suggestion Prince Charles has any of them. Often swelling is caused by a build-up of fluid, which may happen as a result of spending too long sitting, such as on long-haul flights.

Charles has hurt his back several times over the years in falls from horses and ponies. He had a slipped disc in 1991 and broke a rib in 1998.

The Prince of Wales also needed keyhole surgery to repair damaged cartilage in his right knee in 1998. He had the surgery on his left knee years earlier. All those years of wear and tear took their toll on Charles's legs, and in 1998 he needed keyhole laser surgery to repair damaged cartilage in his right knee. 

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This includes those who have received a donor organ, anyone on active chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer, some with specific cancers and people with severe chest conditions such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma.

Charles' health has been relatively robust.  Last November, the Prince of Wales was seen with painfully swollen hands and feet during the first day of his royal tour in India, sparking concerns for his health.

As he removed his shoes to step into a Sikh temple in New Delhi, the 71-year-old's fingers and toes were considerably red and inflamed.

But the heir to the throne dismissed any apparent discomfort, which may have been caused by the nine-hour flight to South Asia.

And in 2018, Prince Charles admitted he was no longer in the shape he once was.

As he approached his 70th birthday, the royal joked that he knows 'only too well' the inevitable physical decline that comes with reaching such a milestone.

'I don't know about you,' he told a crowd of septuagenarians in Brisbane, Australia at the time, 'but now bits of me keep falling off at regular intervals.'

Charles has, certainly, suffered a catalogue of injuries over the years.

When he met boxer Amir Khan in 2015, the pair compared battle wounds — and it turned out Charles had done himself more damage in his lifetime than the former world champion had suffered in the ring.

In recent years, his catalogue of injuries include a swollen eye caused by dust from a tree, to a cracked rib sustained in a tumble from a horse and a non-cancerous growth which was removed from his face in 2008. 

WHAT IS THE RISK OF CORONAVIRUS TO A 71-YEAR-OLD MAN SUCH AS PRINCE CHARLES?

Older people are known to be most vulnerable to the coronavirus because they have weaker immune systems, which makes it harder for them to fight off any infection.

Patients battling underlying medical conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, also face a greater risk of dying or suffering severe complications. 

It is unclear if Prince Charles, 71, has any underlying health conditions that may raise his risk. 

Chinese researchers, who carried out the world's biggest study on COVID-19 patients, warned the risk of patients in their 70s dying was around eight per cent.

The team, who analysed data from 72,000 coronavirus cases, found the overall case-fatality ratio, the percentage of patients who die, was just 2.3 per cent.

British health officials say the death rate is likely to be much lower because there are tens of thousands of patients who won't be diagnosed because their symptoms are so mild. 

What is the death rate for COVID-19 for different age groups? 

AGE

0-9

10-19

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60-69

70-79

80+ 

*** 

DEATHS (%)

0%***

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

0.4%

1.3% 

3.6% 

8% 

14.8% 

0 deaths recorded

The same study also found the case-fatality ratio was higher for men (2.8 per cent) than women (1.7 per cent), a finding that has been echoed across the world.

Scientists say they don't know why women seem less likely to die, but have suggested they naturally tend to have stronger immune systems and are less likely to have long-term health conditions.

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Why did Prince Charles and Camilla get tested for coronavirus? Fury as the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall ‘meet the criteria required for a swab’ – despite the NHS saying ONLY patients in hospital will be screened

Question have been raised after Prince Charles and Camilla were tested for coronavirus despite thousands of NHS workers and sick Brits being denied a swab.

The Prince of Wales was diagnosed with the killer virus yesterday and is now self-isolating at the his home on the Balmoral estate in Scotland.

The 71-year-old is thought to have been tested via a nasal swab by NHS Grampian staff at the royal residence in Aberdeenshire, despite only showing mild symptoms.

Camilla, 72, was also swabbed, even though she had no symptoms. But she produced a negative result and has now separated herself from the prince. 

NHS Scotland's website states that, in general, tests are only to be given out if patients 'have a serious illness that requires admission to hospital' - which is in line with the criteria in the rest of the UK. 

It means that even NHS staff suffering tell-tale symptoms of the virus are not entitled to a test.  

The news has sparked fury on social media, with politicians, celebrities and members of the public accusing health chiefs of giving the royals 'special treatment'.

But Scotland’s chief medical officer, Catherine Calderwood, has said she is satisfied Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were tested for 'clinical reasons'.

Question have been raised after Prince Charles and Camilla were tested for coronavirus despite thousands of NHS workers and sick Brits being denied a swab

News that Prince Charles was tested despite showing mild symptoms sparked fury on social media, with many accusing the royals of jumping the queue

News that Prince Charles was tested despite showing mild symptoms sparked fury on social media, with many accusing the royals of jumping the queue 

Charles and Camilla are both aged over 70 - the age group told to take social distancing particularly seriously. But neither of the royals are believed to have underlying health conditions. 

Joan McAlpine, SNP MSP for the South of Scotland, tweeted that she wishes Charles a speedy recovery, but added: 'Given that his symptoms are said to be mild, like many I wonder how he was tested when many NHS and social care workers cannot get tested.

'My nephew, who has serious asthma and a chest infection was recently refused a test.'

WHO IS CURRENTLY BEING TESTED FOR CORONAVIRUS ON THE NHS?

In the UK routine tests are only given to people so ill they have to go into hospital, or those who are already on wards - even NHS staff don't get tested. 

It means the official tally of around 8,000 coronavirus patients is much lower than the reality.  

The NHS website says people will only generally be tested for COVID-19 'if they 'have a serious illness that requires admission to hospital'. 

Charles and Camilla are deemed high risk of serious complications of the virus because they are over the age of 70.

But their age alone does not qualify them for a test - patients have to be showing severe symptoms.

Scotland's CMO Calderwood said she had contacted the team involved in testing Charles and was satisfied for their reasoning.

She added: 'From the information I have been given it was clear he was tested for clinical reasons.' She did not say why Camilla was tested.

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English actor David Schneider also wished the prince well but said it showed that NHS staff were not important enough to test.

British writer James Felton tweeted: 'It would be nice if the people working in the NHS coming into contact with hundreds of people could get tested as easily as a man who has an actual palace to self-isolate in.'

Radio 4 Today Programme host Nick Robinson said there was 'real anger' felt by many that Prince Charles and Camilla jumped the queue ahead of NHS workers. 

Daisy Steinhardt wrote: 'Why does Prince Charles, who has mild symptoms, qualify more for a highly sought after COVID-19 test than, I don’t know, a healthcare worker? Of course during a *literal* pandemic the 1 per cent get special treatment.'

A spokesperson for the Royal Family said Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were tested on the NHS in Aberdeenshire as 'they met the criteria required for testing'.

But the NHS Scotland website says people will only generally be tested for COVID-19 'if they 'have a serious illness that requires admission to hospital'.

Scotland's CMO Calderwood said she had contacted the team involved in testing Charles, adding: 'From the information I have been given it was clear he was tested for clinical reasons.' She did not say why Camilla was tested. 

Prince Charles is in an 'excellent position' to beat coronavirus despite his age, according to a former GP.

Over-70s are among those most at risk of suffering serious complications as a result of the virus, which has killed 424 and infected 8,000 more in the UK so far.

NHS CLAIMS IT COULD TEST HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS A DAY 'IN WEEKS'

The NHS could start testing hundreds of thousands of people per day for Covid-19 within a matter of weeks, NHS England's medical director claims. 

Professor Stephen Powis told LBC, the phone-in and talk radio station, that testing is being expanded and there would be more widespread testing of NHS workers in the next few days. 

'We want to get hundreds of thousands of tests ramped up in the next few weeks per day,' he said. 

The Government is coming under intense pressure to increase testing, particularly for frontline NHS staff so those who are negative can get back to work. 

Asked to clarify whether he really meant hundreds of thousands of tests per day, Prof Powis said: 'That's what we are aiming for. 

That is what we want to ramp up to, but remember this is a new virus and we're starting from scratch. 

'The kits which are required to do this testing are being manufactured as we speak. We are getting those into the country, we are ramping it up. 

'I am talking of hundreds of thousands of tests. All of this is ramping up and increasing as we speak but, yes, you heard me correctly, we need to get to hundreds of thousands of tests a day, and we will do that over the course of the next few weeks and we will be making tests available to NHS staff within the next few days.' 

Figures on Tuesday from the Department of Health and Social Care said Public Health England (PHE) and the NHS are expecting to be carrying out up to 25,000 tests per day within the next four weeks. 

Capacity will then continue to be ramped up towards 250,000 tests per day, according to the department.

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But the Prince of Wales, who turned 71 in November, should be protected because of his healthy diet and lifestyle, according to Dr Sarah Brewer.  

She warned that he must avoid his royal relatives not living in the same household, adding that the 'same rules apply to everyone'.

Charles, who is suffering from 'mild symptoms', is in self-isolation with the Duchess of Cornwall at Balmoral Castle in Scotland after testing positive yesterday. 

Prince Charles fell ill a fortnight after meeting coronavirus-stricken Prince Albert of Monaco (March 10), who tested positive five days ago.

The Duke of Cornwall was last at Buckingham Palace on March 12 for investitures, where he 'briefly' saw the Queen, 93. 

His illness will raise fears for the health for elderly royals including his mother and Prince Philip, who are together at Windsor Castle.

William and Kate are at Anmer Hall in Norfolk, while Harry and Meghan are back in Canada.

Until he fell ill, the heir to the throne has been continuing to carry out public engagements despite the coronavirus crisis - but has avoided shaking hands, instead using a namaste gesture.

But despite avoiding close contact with people he has caught Covid-19 - and it came days after a member of Buckingham Palace staff tested positive for coronavirus.

The Royal Family appeared to have already prepared for the eventuality that one of them could be diagnosed with coronavirus, having been split up across Britain - away from London.

A Clarence House spokesman said: 'The Prince of Wales has tested positive for Coronavirus. He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual.

'The Duchess of Cornwall has also been tested but does not have the virus. In accordance with Government and medical advice, the Prince and the Duchess are now self-isolating at home in Scotland'.

The spokesman said it was impossible to say where he caught it from because of the large number of public engagements he has carried out in 'recent weeks' - but it will raise questions over whether he got it from Albert and if he has spread it himself.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT PRINCE CHARLES' MEDICAL HISTORY? 

The Prince of Wales Prince Charles's medical history isn't publicly known - but he has had a catalogue of injuries over the years.

Concerns for his health were sparked in November when he was pictured with swollen hands and feet on the first day of his royal tour in India.

As he removed his shoes to step into a Sikh temple in New Delhi, the 70-year-old's fingers and toes were red and swollen.

Swollen feet can have many causes, among them gout and diabetes - but there is no suggestion Prince Charles has any of them.

Often swelling is caused by a build-up of fluid, which may happen as a result of spending too long sitting, such as on long-haul flights.

Charles has hurt his back several times over the years in falls from horses and ponies. He had a slipped disc in 1991 and broke a rib in 1998.

The Prince of Wales also needed keyhole surgery to repair damaged cartilage in his right knee in 1998. He had the surgery on his left knee years earlier.

All those years of wear and tear took their toll on Charles’s legs, and in 1998 he needed keyhole laser surgery to repair damaged cartilage in his right knee. 

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A royal source said Charles' doctor's most conservative estimate was that the prince was contagious on March 13 - 24 hours after he last saw his mother.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman has said: 'Her Majesty The Queen remains in good health. The Queen last saw The Prince of Wales briefly on the morning of March 12 and is following all the appropriate advice with regard to her welfare'.

Charles's last public engagement was on March 12, but he did have a number of private meetings with Highgrove and Duchy individuals, all of whom have been made aware.

It comes after the Government announced it had bought 3.5million coronavirus antibody tests - but has refused to reveal who makes them, when they will be available on the NHS or if they can be used at home.

Britain has repeatedly been slammed for its lacklustre approach to the crisis after testing just 5,000 people each day and allowing hundreds of thousands to roam the streets undiagnosed. 

South Korea, the only country outside of China to flatten the outbreak's curve, has been conducting three times more daily tests despite having a population of 50million, compared to Britain's 66million.

NHS England's medical director today warned testing must be ramped up to hundreds of thousands per day in the coming weeks to catch up with the crisis. 

In the UK routine tests are only given to people so ill they have to go into hospital, or those who are already on wards - even NHS staff don't get tested. 

It means the official tally of coronavirus patients (8,077) is much lower than the reality.  

The new antibody tests are thought to use a lateral flow device (LFD) which takes a drop of blood by a finger prick and a colour develops if the patient is positive.

The test looks for antibodies, the immune system's defence mechanism, which are produced to fight off the killer virus. 

They work like an at-home pregnancy test and take just minutes to produce a result.  

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