How Queen Elizabeth II and Buckingham Palace Are Handling Coronavirus Outbreak: 5 Changes

Credit: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

How Queen Elizabeth II and Buckingham Palace Are Handling Coronavirus Outbreak: 5 Changes

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to sweep the world, Buckingham Palace has decided to make some key changes to Queen Elizabeth II’s schedule for the coming months. The palace announced in a statement on the British royal family’s website on Tuesday, March 17, that the adjustments were made “as a sensible precaution and for practical reasons in the current circumstances.” Several events, including a meeting with U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, will go on as scheduled, while others, such as five garden parties, have been canceled. The statement noted that further announcements “will be made in due course, in consultation with Government,” in regard to the status of the Trooping the Colour parade, the 75th anniversary celebration of Victory in Europe Day and a state visit by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan. The most noteworthy change to the 93-year-old queen’s schedule is that she will move to Windsor Castle on Thursday, March 19, to begin celebrating Easter one week earlier than planned. [jwplayer tDDWnSQv] The first case of COVID-19 was reported in Wuhan, Hubei, China, in December 2019, and the disease has since spread to more than 160 countries. There have been major outbreaks in China, Europe, the United States, Iran and South Korea, with over 7,100 deaths reported worldwide. A source told Us Weekly on Monday that the queen’s grandson Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, are “observing the quarantine” with their 10-month-old son, Archie, in Canada, where the couple have been living since stepping back from royal duties in January. “They are following the rules put forth by the World Health Organization,” the source added. A number of royal family members were also spotted avoiding handshakes at the Commonwealth Service in London earlier this month. Scroll down to see the five changes that have been made to Elizabeth’s diary.

Credit: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

How Queen Elizabeth II and Buckingham Palace Are Handling Coronavirus Outbreak: 5 Changes

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to sweep the world, Buckingham Palace has decided to make some key changes to Queen Elizabeth II’s schedule for the coming months. The palace announced in a statement on the British royal family’s website on Tuesday, March 17, that the adjustments were made “as a sensible precaution and for practical reasons in the current circumstances.” Several events, including a meeting with U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, will go on as scheduled, while others, such as five garden parties, have been canceled. The statement noted that further announcements “will be made in due course, in consultation with Government,” in regard to the status of the Trooping the Colour parade, the 75th anniversary celebration of Victory in Europe Day and a state visit by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan. The most noteworthy change to the 93-year-old queen’s schedule is that she will move to Windsor Castle on Thursday, March 19, to begin celebrating Easter one week earlier than planned. [jwplayer tDDWnSQv] The first case of COVID-19 was reported in Wuhan, Hubei, China, in December 2019, and the disease has since spread to more than 160 countries. There have been major outbreaks in China, Europe, the United States, Iran and South Korea, with over 7,100 deaths reported worldwide. A source told Us Weekly on Monday that the queen’s grandson Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, are “observing the quarantine” with their 10-month-old son, Archie, in Canada, where the couple have been living since stepping back from royal duties in January. “They are following the rules put forth by the World Health Organization,” the source added. A number of royal family members were also spotted avoiding handshakes at the Commonwealth Service in London earlier this month. Scroll down to see the five changes that have been made to Elizabeth’s diary.

Credit: Paul Marriott/Shutterstock

Future Audiences

While audiences (a.k.a. one-on-one meetings) are still scheduled to take place this week with Johnson, 55, HMS Queen Elizabeth Captain Angus Essenhigh and Bishop of Hereford Richard Jackson, future ones “will be received on an ongoing basis, in line with the appropriate advice,” per the palace.

Credit: Paul Marriott/Shutterstock

Easter

The queen is not only leaving for Windsor Castle early — it is also likely that she “will stay there beyond the Easter period,” according to the statement.

Credit: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

Public Events

Unnamed events attended by “large numbers of people” will be canceled or postponed after the palace consulted with the Medical Household and Government.

Credit: Shutterstock

Maundy Service

The annual religious service, which is held the day before Good Friday at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, has been canceled.

Credit: Shutterstock

Garden Parties

The monarch will no longer host three garden parties at Buckingham Palace in May. Instead, guests “will be asked to attend in 2021,” according to the statement. In addition, two garden parties given for the Not Forgotten Association and the National Trust have been canceled.

Given the constantly evolving nature of COVID-19, Us Weekly wants our readers to have access to the most accurate resources. For the most up-to-date coronavirus information, guidance, and support, consult the CDC, WHO, and information from local public health officials. If you’re experiencing coronavirus symptoms, call your primary care provider for medical advice.