News that Britain's Queen Elizabeth had tested positive for COVID-19 drew shock, concern and messages of goodwill from across the country on Sunday, with politicians and the public willing the 95-year-old to recover.
On a wet and blustery day, a few sightseers gathered at the gates of Windsor Castle where the queen is receiving medical treatment for mild symptoms. Others went online to express support and message boards in the London Underground urged the monarch to "take it easy".
Many said they were troubled by the news after the world's longest-reigning monarch pulled out of a number of high-profile events and spent a night in the hospital last October, igniting fears about her health.
Julie and Rupert Wills, visiting Windsor to the west of London, said they loved the queen "to bits", with Rupert respecting her ability to just "quietly get on with" things.
Queen Elizabeth hosts Rear Admiral James Macleod and Major General Eldon Millar as she meets the incoming and outgoing Defence Service Secretaries. Source: Reuters
Sanil Solanki, 43, described her as the nation's mother.
For 19-year-old Gerard Smith, the news had come as a shock. "Everyone loves her," he said. "She can't do wrong to anyone. She's been there my whole lifetime and the lifetime of almost everyone. It's sad to hear. Hopefully, she makes it through."
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson led the official response, saying he was sure he spoke for the nation when he wished the queen a swift recovery and a rapid return to vibrant good health.
Opposition leader Keir Starmer said: "Get well soon Ma'am." Many other politicians simply tweeted: "God Save The Queen".
The US Embassy in London sent best wishes. The chief minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, described the queen as "a rock" in reference to the British territory's landscape.
The widespread support for the queen follows the anniversary earlier this month when she quietly marked 70 years on the throne, the first British sovereign to do so.
Buckingham Palace said the Queen would continue with "light" duties at Windsor Castle over the coming week.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles attend the official State Opening of Parliament. Source: Reuters
"She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines," the palace said in a statement on Sunday.
People in the UK who test positive for COVID-19 are required to self-isolate for at least five days, although the British government said it plans to lift that requirement for England this week.
Both Charles and Camilla have both also recently tested positive. Source: EPA
Cases at Windsor castle
The Queen has received three vaccine doses.
Both her eldest son Prince Charles, 73, and her 74-year-old daughter-in-law Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall have also recently contracted COVID-19, and Charles has since returned to work.
There are also thought to be several recent virus cases among staff at Windsor Castle, where the Queen is staying.
Britain's longest-reigning monarch, the Queen reached the milestone of 70 years on the throne on 6 February, the anniversary of the death in 1952 of her father King George VI.
A fixture in the life of the nation, Elizabeth has been in robust health for most of her reign and has been photographed riding a horse as recently as 2020.
In the past year, she has been seen using a walking stick and, in October, she spent a night in a London hospital for unspecified tests.
The Queen's doctors ordered her to rest after that and she was forced to cancel appearances at several key events, including Remembrance Sunday services and the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland, in November.
This month she returned to public duties and has held audiences both virtually and in-person with diplomats, politicians and senior military officers.
During one exchange caught on camera last week, she walked slowly with a stick and said "as you can see I can't move" in an apparent reference to her leg.
The Queen has a busy schedule over the next few months of her Platinum Jubilee year and is scheduled to attend in-person public engagements in the coming weeks, including a diplomatic reception at Windsor on 2 March and the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on 14 March.
On 29 March, she has a remembrance service at Westminster Abbey for her husband Prince Philip, who died in April 2021 at the age of 99.
Public celebrations of the Platinum Jubilee are scheduled for June, with festivities including a military parade, a day of horse racing and neighbourhood parties over a 2-5 June long weekend.
