Queen Elizabeth II, more royals wishes Boris Johnson a 'speedy' recovery from coronavirus

Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY
·2 min read

Britain's royal family is sending well wishes to U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was moved to an intensive care unit at a London hospital Monday night after his coronavirus symptoms worsened.

Johnson, 55, tested positive for the respiratory illness March 27, the first major world leader to publicly acknowledge having COVID-19. His symptoms include a high temperature and a cough. He is conscious and has not been put on a ventilator.

In a post to Twitter Tuesday, Buckingham Palace shared a statement about Johnson, noting the queen had reached out to his fiancee, Carrie Symonds.

"Earlier today The Queen sent a message to Carrie Symonds and to the Johnson family. Her Majesty said they were in her thoughts and that she wished the Prime Minister a full and speedy recovery," the statement said alongside a photo of the queen and Johnson.

The Kensington Palace Twitter account also posted a message about Johnson.

"Our thoughts are with the Prime Minister and his family, who like so many in the UK and around the world are affected by coronavirus. We wish him a speedy recovery at this difficult time," the statement read, signed by "W," which likely stands for Prince William.

The queen addressed the U.K. Sunday and called on the nation to rise to the challenge of the pandemic.

In the address, the 93-year-old queen acknowledged the daunting challenges brought by the COVID-19 crisis and sought to lift spirits and offer hope to the country in its hour of need.

Aside from her annual Christmas speeches, it was only the fourth time since her reign began in 1952 that she has given such an address.

“I am speaking to you at what I know is an increasingly challenging time,” the queen said. “A time of disruption in the life of our country, a disruption that has brought grief to some, financial difficulties to many and enormous changes to the daily lives of us all ... I hope in the years to come, everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge. And those who come after us will say that the Britons of this generation were as strong as any.”

Contributing: Kim Hjelmgaard and Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coronavirus: Boris Johnson in ICU; Queen Elizabeth, royals speak out