The Prince of Wales returns to royal duties after Covid diagnosis

The Prince of Wales has continued his royal duties with a visit to Hereford Cathedral two days after news of the Queen’s Covid diagnosis. 

Charles, 73, emerged from isolation on Friday to present the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes at St James’s Palace a week after Clarence House confirmed he tested positive for the virus. 

It was the second time Charles, who is triple jabbed, tested positive for Covid after contracting the virus in March 2020.

The Duke of Cornwall, who became Patron of Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust in 2004, is understood to have toured the building ahead of a visit to the Duchy Of Cornwall’s Hereford Estate. 

It comes as his mother cancelled her planned virtual engagements today because still is ‘still experiencing mild cold like symptoms’ after testing positive for coronavirus.  

During his visit the Duke discussed the history of the 11th-century building with Hereford Cathedral archivist Elizabeth Semper O’Keefe

In April 1985, Charles visited the building with his late wife Princess Diana launch a £1 million Hereford Cathedral restoration appeal and has visited numerous times over the years.  

He last visited the cathedral with his wife Camilla, 74, was also required to self-isolate after contracting Covid earlier this month, in January 2009.  

During his visit the Duke discussed the history of the 11th-century building with Hereford Cathedral archivist Elizabeth Semper O’Keefe and librarian Rosemary Firman.  

He was seen discussing potential works within the Cathedral Nave with Glyn Morgan of the Perpetual Trust and Cathedral Architect Robert Kilgour.  

Charles was seen discussing potential works within the Cathedral Nave with Glyn Morgan of the Perpetual Trust and Cathedral Architect Robert Kilgour

The Duke of Cornwall, who became Patron of Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust in 2004, chatted librarian Rosemary Firman during his visit today 

‘It was wonderful to welcome His Royal Highness to Hereford Cathedral,’ said Hereford’s Dean, the Dean Revd Canon Sarah Brown in a statement.

‘His Royal Highness first visited the cathedral in the 1980s and has supported our work throughout that time. It was a pleasure to be able to talk to him about our future aspirations.’ 

Meanwhile, the 95-year-old monarch will continue with ‘light duties’ such as dealing with official papers in her private Windsor Castle apartments – and further engagements over the coming week will be decided upon nearer the time. 

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said this morning: ‘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.’

Royal officials announced on Sunday morning that the Queen had tested positive but was suffering from only mild ‘cold-like’ symptoms, and it was made clear that she would undertake ‘light duties’ during her isolation period.

Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle on February 16, which was four days before her positive Covid-19 test was announced

A telephone call with Prime Minister Boris Johnson tomorrow is still scheduled in her diary as it stands – and the Queen has been keeping up with the red boxes of official documents that follow her everywhere. 

The Queen also has a major engagement planned next week when she is set to host the Diplomatic Reception on March 2, where it is hoped that she will meet hundreds of members of the Diplomatic Corps at Windsor. 

She is also due to attend the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 14 and then the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial service, also at the Abbey, on March 29, nearly a year after the death of her husband. 

The Queen’s doctors will be keeping a close eye on her and monitoring her progress, with Professor Sir Huw Thomas, head of the Medical Household and Physician to the Queen, expected to be in charge.