It has recently been announced that the Duke of Cambridge tested positive for COVID-19 back in April, shortly after it was announced that the Prince of Wales had also contracted the virus.
Prince Charles was the first British royal to contract the virus and decided to make his positive results public as he went on to self-isolate at his mansion – Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire where he and Camilla holiday each year during Easter.
Prince William, on the other hand, chose to keep his test results private until now. On receiving his positive results, Prince William also went on to follow government guidelines and self-isolate with the Duchess of Cambridge and their three children at their family home – Anmer Hall, Norfolk, where it is a tradition for the Cambridge’s to spend time during the school holidays.
The Duke of Cambridge’s COVID-19 symptoms were somewhat severe and did result in him having breathing difficulties; he was assisted by palace medical professionals but fortunately did not require hospital admission. It is believed that the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis did not experience any symptoms or test positive for the virus.
Despite suffering from breathing difficulties, Prince William continued with his royal duties as professional as ever, albeit – virtually. Amongst his 14 engagements, one of his duties was the opening of the newly built temporary NHS Nightingale Hospital in Birmingham on the 16th April.
Many people have voiced their opinion regarding the Duke’s decision not to go public with his positive COVID-19 result and symptoms as they believe that he had a royal duty to do so.
However, Prince William and palace officials decided against informing the public, and William has since said: “There were important things going on, and I didn’t want to worry anyone.”
The Palace does have an obligation to inform the public of certain royal instances; they do so with integrity and in the country’s best interests. Although, on this occasion, they did not believe it would be in the best interest of the country at a time when the people were already in a state of alarm.
