Unprecedented precautions were undertaken in anticipation of The Queen’s address to the nation this week.
Her Majesty pre-recorded her rare television address earlier this week at Windsor Castle, with the message being broadcast on Sunday at 8pm.
To ensure the 93-year-old monarch was not placed in a situation with any unnecessary risks, Her Majesty’s personal doctors gave their advice on what should be done to mitigate the risk of transmission to the Queen or the 98-year-old Duke of Edinburgh.
Sources say that the White Drawing Room in Windsor Castle was chosen to film the address as the location ensured that enough distance could be kept between the lone cameraman and the head of state.
The camera operator was dressed head-to-toe in personal protective equipment ensuring that any risk of Her Majesty contracting the disease was mitigated.
In her speech, Her Majesty will reflect her own personal experiences of other difficult times, and will praise NHS staff and key workers.
The monarch will say: “I am speaking to you at what I know is an increasingly challenging time. A time of disruption in the life of our country: a disruption that has brought grief to some, financial difficulties to many, and enormous changes to the daily lives of us all.”
She will continue: “I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge. And those who come after us will say that the Britons of this generation were as strong as any.
“That the attributes of self-discipline, of quiet good-humoured resolve and of fellow-feeling still characterise this country.”
Her Majesty will address the nation and the Commonwealth on the coronavirus pandemic at 20:00 British time.
The Queen’s speech will be broadcast in the UK on the BBC, ITV, Sky and many other TV and radio stations around the globe.
With the exception of her annual Christmas broadcasts, the upcoming speech will be the first time the monarch has addressed the nation since the death of The Queen Mother in 2002.
It is hoped that her words will unite people together as a nationwide lockdown in the UK extends into a third week.
