How the Royal Family Is Coping With COVID-19
Growing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic have reached the Palace in a very big way. As of Friday, March 20, Kensington Palace and Windsor Castle will be among two of six historic sites connected to the royal family that will be closed until further notice. The other sites include the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, the Banqueting House, Kew Palace, and Hillsborough Castle. (It should be noted, however, that the gardens at Hampton Court Palace and Hillsborough Castle are still open for visitors to stroll through.)
The Historic Royal Palaces, which oversees six royal properties, released a statement Friday reassuring visitors that “the Palaces have bounced back in the past — and so will we. When we return, as an independent charity, we will need your support more than ever. Please keep in touch with us via our website and social media channels, where we will continue to share the stories we had planned to share with you in person.” Of the decision to keep the gardens open, Historic Royal Palaces added: “Throughout history many people have used these wonderful spaces to relax and recuperate during difficult times, and we hope you can too.”
Queen leaves London
On Friday, it was also announced that the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace has been suspended indefinitely “in line with Government advice to avoid mass gatherings.” The royal family has also been taking measures to implement best practices amid the coronavirus pandemic. The queen is currently practicing social distancing by debunking to Windsor Castle, where she will have a team of medics on hand to ensure that she is kept in the best health possible. “The Queen is being carefully advised and she has a brilliant team supporting her,” Dr. Anna Hemming, the resident in-house doctor to the royal family from 2008 to 2014, told Vanity Fair. All of the queen’s domestic engagements have been cancelled for the foreseeable future.
In a statement to the UK Thursday, the Queen said that the nation is “entering a period of great concern and uncertainty,” but that the country’s “history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one.” She added, “At times such as these, I am reminded that our nation’s history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one, concentrating our combined efforts with a focus on the common goal.” Prince William and Kate Middleton, meanwhile, have been doing their due diligence and visited with members of the London Ambulance Service on Thursday to thank the staff for their tireless work.
Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
