Queen's Daughter-in-Law Sophie Is Isolating After Being Exposed to Positive Coronavirus Case

Stephanie Petit
·2 min read

Stuart C. Wilson/WPA Pool/Getty Sophie, Countess of Wessex

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, is taking precautions after coming in contact with someone who tested positive for coronavirus.

"Earlier this week The Countess of Wessex came into contact with someone who has subsequently tested positive for COVID-19," Buckingham Palace said in a statement released Friday. "Her Royal Highness is not experiencing any symptoms, but is following all relevant government guidelines and is self-isolating at home."

Queen Elizabeth's daughter-in-law will likely stay at her Bagshot Park home, where she lives with husband Prince Edward and their two children, Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn.

Sophie, 55, has had a busy week. After visiting a farm with Prince Edward last Thursday, she joined a member of Mencap's Learning Disability Running Team for the first 1.5 miles of their Virtual London Marathon along the Great Walk at Windsor Castle (despite the dreary weather) on Sunday. Sophie also sported a green mask on Wednesday while visiting the National Space Centre to mark World Space Week. The palace did not specify where Sophie was exposed.

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Today The Countess of Wessex was honoured to join Tomas for the first part of his London Marathon 2020 route, in support of @mencap. . The Countess, who has been Patron of @mencap since 2004, ran 1.5 miles alongside Tomas to represent the 1.5 million people in the UK with a learning disability. . Tomas, a runner with a learning disability supported by @mencap, today took on the challenge of completing his first-ever marathon. In the words of The Countess, “Tomas has shown what people with a learning disability can achieve with the right support. He is an inspiration!” . 🏅A huge congratulations to Tomas, the 312 @mencap runners and all other London Marathon runners who are completing their 26.2 miles challenge today. . 🎼 Music: @mencap’s ‘cheer’ anthem Side by Side. Head over to @mencap to listen to the full version.

A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) on Oct 4, 2020 at 7:53am PDT

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🚀 The Countess of Wessex today visited the National @spacecentre to mark #WorldSpaceWeek, and to see first-hand the educational programmes on offer. HRH was joined by astronaut Helen Sharman - the first Briton to go into space - at the Centre, which has recently re-opened with social distancing measures in place. The Countess met a small number of students participating in the National Space Academy’s Space Engineering Course, and heard from them about the key role the Centre plays in space education in the UK. 🛰 HRH also took part in a live Q&A session (transmitted via satellite!) with Helen Sharman, discussing ways to inspire the next generation to embrace science and space education. #DidYouKnow the Royal Family has a long history of supporting the study of astronomy? Visit our stories to learn more.

A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) on Oct 7, 2020 at 9:32am PDT

In March, Sophie's brother-in-law Prince Charles tested positive for COVID-19, experiencing "mild symptoms." In June, the future king revealed that he is still recovering from the loss of his sense of taste and smell.

"He [Prince Charles] did speak of his personal experience, so first-hand experience for him," health care assistant Jeff Wall told the Daily Mail. "He also spoke about his loss of smell and taste and, sort of, still felt he's still got it now."

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Benjamin Wheeler/PA Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

The royal family — including Kate Middleton and Prince William — has largely returned to in-person engagements, taking precautions such as wearing masks and practicing social distancing.

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However, Queen Elizabeth has rarely been in public since March — with exceptions such as her scaled-down birthday celebrations in June and granddaughter Princess Beatrice's small wedding in July. The 94-year-old monarch isolated with her 99-year-old husband, Prince Philip, at Windsor Castle before spending time at their Balmoral estate in Scotland over the summer. After visiting their Sandringham Estate, the Queen has returned to Windsor solo. It remains her plan to return to Buckingham Palace in London for "selected audiences and engagements."