Rumors of Queen Elizabeth II have been greatly exaggerated.
Although one media outlet reported that she had died at the end of February, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch was spotted out and about, alive and well.
Queen Elizabeth II Is Seen Alive After COVID-19 Diagnosis
According to PEOPLE, Queen Elizabeth II, 95, has officially recovered from COVID-19. She has been diagnosed on February 20, and had been recovering while performing “light duties” at Windsor Castle. She had canceled virtual engagements throughout the week, leading many to express concern that her health had taken a turn for a worse.
However, she recently had an outdoor family visit with some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren over the weekend. On Sunday, she met with Prince William and Kate Middleton and their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. They met at the Frogmore House, which is located on the grounds of Windsor Castle. Princess Beatrice and 5-month-old daughter Sienna were also there for the visit, as per the Daily Mail.
On Tuesday, the Queen was apparently feeling well enough to resume her virtual meetings, which are the first that she has conducted since her diagnosis. Although Buckingham Palace has not provided any official statements on her COVID-19 status, a source told PEOPLE that the Queen will continue with her private engagements and other duties as scheduled now that she has recovered.
The Queen’s diagnosis had come shortly after her son, Prince Charles, and his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, had also tested positive for COVID-19. She had met with her son on February 8, only two days before he announced a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. PEOPLE reported that other Royal Household members that were at Windsor Castle had also reportedly tested positive for COVID-19. All members of the Royal Family have been triple vaccinated against COVID-19.
Why Did People Assume That Queen Elizabeth Had Passed Away?
Only a few days after her diagnosis, one media outlet reported that Her Royal Majesty had passed away. They then doubled down on their statement a short while later, despite criticism and calls for a retraction.
The rumors of her death were quickly debunked due to two inconsistencies in the initial report. It was alleged that the “Royal kingdom” had informed the outlet that the Queen had passed away, which is not an established source.
The outlet also claimed that the Queen had been “scheduled to attend the wedding of a British vogue editor but was found dead.” However, the Queen had canceled her virtual engagements. She would not have risked attending a wedding and violating COVID-19 protocols with her current diagnosis.
Multiple sources have come forward to say that allegations of the Queen’s demise are “false.” The Queen’s recent phone call with the U.K. Prime Minister also confirmed that the Queen is very much alive.
It is now believed that the news was a misunderstanding as Mark Lanegan of “Queens of the Stone Age” passed away shortly before the rumors of the Queen’s death began trending.
Queen Elizabeth II Was Well Enough To Speak With Boris Johnson Last Week
Last Wednesday, the Queen felt well enough to hold her scheduled meeting with U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, according to a Buckingham Palace spokesperson. Although their meeting was supposed to take place in person, it was held virtually due to the Queen’s COVID-19 diagnosis. The spokesperson revealed that, at the time, she was still experiencing “mild cold-like symptoms.”
In a statement, Buckingham Palace revealed, “As Her Majesty is still experiencing mild cold-like symptoms she has decided not to undertake her planned virtual engagements today, but will continue with light duties.” These light duties were said to include reading documents and letters and penning a response.
Last Thursday, a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace revealed that her virtual engagements had been canceled for a second time, which led some to worry that her health was taking a turn for the worse. “The two virtual audiences that had previously been scheduled to take place today will now be rescheduled for a later date,” they reported. “Her Majesty is continuing with light duties. No other engagements are scheduled for this week.”
The Queen’s recovery is uplifting news as many look ahead to her Platinum Jubilee in June. The nation will come together to celebrate her 70-year reign on the throne.
