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British RoyalsCoronavirusPrince & Princess of WalesPrincess Anne and Family

How the coronavirus has impacted the Royal Family

Around the world, the coronavirus is causing health and travel concerns. Over 82,000 cases around the globe have been confirmed with the virus, reaching at least 11 European countries. Now, it’s impacting the Royal Family.

For Prince George, 6, and Prince Charlotte, 4, they both attend Thomas’s Battersea in London. However, there are now reports that at least four pupils at the school are at home in self-isolation. This came after they are said to have exhibited potential novel coronavirus symptoms.

Prince George has attended the private school since 2017. His sister just joined him last year.

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A spokesperson for the school told Spanish news website El Confidencel that a few students were awaiting test results and that they were in self-isolation.

“Like all schools, we are taking the potential risk connected with the spread of COVID-19 very seriously. And to this end are following government guidance to the letter around both prevention against infection and in dealing with cases where any staff or pupils are suspected of being exposed to the virus or who display symptoms.”

“We currently have a very small number of pupils who have been tested and these individuals are currently, as per government advice, remaining at home pending the receipt of their test results.”

Two of those children in self-isolation reportedly experienced flu-like symptoms after returning to the U.K. from a recent trip to northern Italy. In Italy, there are currently over 650 reported cases of the virus.

All parents at the school have been informed. Kensington Palace has not commented on the reports.

George and Charlotte are not the only two royals affected by the coronavirus.

The Princess Royal and her colleagues, some of whom are in other royal families, in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will be monitoring the virus outbreak in Asia over the coming months as they decide on whether or not they will move ahead with the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo.

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Dick Pound, who is a member of the IOC alongside Princess Anne, said they will come to a decision by the end of May on whether or not the games will go on.

According to the Associated Press, Mr Pound said:

“A lot of things have to start happening. You’ve got to start ramping up your security, your food, the Olympic Village, the hotels, the media folks will be in there building their studios.”

When asked specifically on what will happen if the virus is not under control by the summer, Mr Pound said:

“You’re probably looking at a cancellation.”

He went on to add, “You just don’t postpone something on the size and scale of the Olympics. There’s so many moving parts, so many countries and different seasons, and competitive seasons, and television seasons. You can’t just say, we’ll do it in October.”

The Princess has not spoken publicly on the matter. She has been a member of the IOC since 1988, and the President of the British Olympic Association since 1983.

The Princess’ daughter, Zara, and her husband Mike recently returned home from a trip to Italy where they were on a skiing holiday. The Queen’s granddaughter is following the official government and health department advice after she and her husband returned.

A spokesperson for the couple said that as neither of them are showing any symptoms of Covid-19, they would not be self-isolating.

About author

My name is Sydney Zatz and I am a University of Iowa graduate. I graduated with a degree in journalism and sports studies, and a minor in sport and recreation management. A highlight of my college career was getting the chance to study abroad in London and experiencing royal history firsthand. I have a passion for royals, royal history, and journalism, which led me to want to write for Royal Central.