Queen Elizabeth II Tests Positive for Covid-19: Nation Wishes Her a Speedy Recovery

News of Queen Elizabeth II testing positive for Covid-19 has sent shock waves across the United Kingdom.

On Sunday, the announcement was made by Buckingham Palace that the world's longest reigning monarch had contracted the virus.

Politicians and the public alike expressed their concern and support for the Queen, wishing her a speedy recovery.

The news prompted a few sightseers to gather at the gates of Windsor Castle, where the Queen is receiving medical treatment.

Many others took to social media to express their support and urge the monarch to take it easy during this time.

The Daily Telegraph reported that many were troubled by the news, given the Queen's age and recent health scares.

Julian Rupert Willis, a visitor to Windsor, expressed his love for the Queen and her ability to quietly get on with things.

Sunil Sulanki described her as the nation's mother, while 19-year-old Gerard Smith was shocked by the news, stating that everyone loves her and she can't do wrong to anyone.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson led the official response, wishing the Queen a swift recovery and a return to vibrant good health.

Opposition leader Keir Starmer also sent his well wishes, while many other politicians simply tweeted, “God save the Queen.”

The US Embassy in London and Chief Minister of Gibraltar also sent their best wishes.

Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Queen is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms, but is fully vaccinated and boosted with the Covid-19 vaccine.

She is expected to carry out light duties over the coming week from Windsor Castle, where she will continue to receive medical attention and follow all appropriate guidelines.

However, some Brits were not happy with the news that the Queen would continue with light duties.

One Twitter user stated that at 95, she should only ever do light duties, while another urged her to rest and watch daytime television.

The announcement made it clear that the Queen herself intends to continue with light duties and is not expecting members of her family to change their plans for the coming week.

The Queen immediately signed and sent a message of congratulations to Team GB's curling teams following their success at the Beijing Winter Olympics.

She hopes to undertake virtual engagements via video call this week and conduct the Prime Minister's audience over the telephone, but will cancel at least one in-person meeting to avoid passing the virus to anyone else.

The Queen's Covid diagnosis followed that of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

The Queen and the Prince last saw each other 13 days ago, two days before a routine test revealed her son had Covid.

No other Royal family members currently have the flu, and the Princess Royal is prepared for a busy week.

The mildness of the Queen's symptoms will serve to ease fears about her being unable to carry out constitutional duties.

In the event of a temporary illness and faced with duties that cannot be postponed, she could give permission to two of her four councillors of state to deputise.

The current councillors are the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of Sussex, and the Duke of York.

There have been questions about the current system, with those four councillors currently being named only as a result of their position in the line of succession.

They have to be in the UK to fulfil the role, which can only be changed through an Act of Parliament.

The Queen is not expected to appear in a full in-person engagement until March 2, when she will host a diplomatic reception at Windsor Castle.

On March 29, she is expected to attend a service of thanksgiving for her late husband Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey.

Under Covid plans, the service is likely to have 1,500 guests rather than the full 2,200 seat capacity.

The news of the Queen's Covid-19 diagnosis has drawn concern and messages of goodwill from across the country.

The nation wishes her a speedy recovery and hopes to see her back to full health soon.