Queen Elizabeth returns to work after COVID-19

Queen Elizabeth returns to work after COVID-19

LONDON: Queen Elizabeth II resumed public engagements Tuesday after falling ill with COVID, as her son and heir Prince Charles was quoted as saying that she is “a lot better”. Concerns have mounted for the 95-year-old monarch’s health since she tested positive on February 20, overshadowing the start of her record-breaking 70th year on the throne.

But a palace statement indicated she was now well enough to hold virtual engagements, hosting the new ambassadors of Andorra and Chad from her home at Windsor Castle. The queen last week cancelled similar scheduled engagements with new ambassadors as she was suffering from what were described as “mild” COVID symptoms.

A diplomatic reception she was also due to attend yesterday this week was cancelled on the advice of Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Buckingham Palace has said it will not give a running commentary on the head of state’s health, but news that she is undertaking duties again will be seen as a positive. During a walkabout on a visit to Southend-on-Sea, east of London, a member of the public asked Charles about his mother’s health.

“He said, ‘she’s a lot better now-it was very mild’,” admin worker Janice Jacom, 64,