UK Queen to Leave Buckingham Palace Due to COVID-19 Impact

On the 19th (local time), moving to Windsor Castle

Events attended by the Queen are being canceled one after another

▲Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom is leaving the capital London due to concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The Guardian, a British daily, reported on the 17th (local time) that all events the Queen was scheduled to attend have been either canceled or postponed.

On the same day, Buckingham Palace announced, "The Queen will leave Buckingham Palace about a week earlier than planned as a 'common-sense precaution' and move to Windsor Castle," adding, "It is highly likely that the Queen will remain there even after Easter." Windsor Castle is one of the official residences of the British monarch, along with Buckingham Palace and Edinburgh's Holyrood Palace. The Queen is expected to meet with Prime Minister Boris Johnson to conduct official duties before leaving Buckingham Palace.

Additionally, Buckingham Palace stated, "In consultation with the Queen's physician and the government, large-scale events attended by the Queen and other members of the royal family will be postponed or canceled for the next few months."

Following this announcement from Buckingham Palace, the annual Easter event scheduled to be held at Windsor Castle on the 9th of next month and the Buckingham Palace Garden Party planned for May, hosted by the Queen, have also been canceled.

This is an unprecedented cancellation of a garden party hosted by the Queen, and Buckingham Palace explained, "Those invited to this party will be accommodated to attend the 2021 party."

However, the 75th anniversary of the European Victory Day event, which Prince Harry and his wife are expected to attend, and the state visit schedule of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako in June will be decided later in consultation with the government. The annual garden party to be held at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh is still undecided.

Meanwhile, the UK Department of Health officially reported a total of 1,950 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 9 a.m. (local time) on the same day. Earlier, the UK government advised citizens to refrain from visiting pubs, restaurants, and cinemas, and recommended that elderly people aged 70 and over with underlying health conditions self-isolate for 12 weeks. The Church of England has suspended public worship indefinitely.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.