Coronavirus scare: Queen will move to Windsor Castle for Easter, Japan state visit under review
The Queen may stay there beyond the Easter period.
By PTI | Updated:
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LONDON: Queen Elizabeth II will retire to Windsor Castle a week early and a state visit by the emperor and empress of Japan is being reviewed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Buckingham Palace said on Tuesday.
The 93-year-old monarch has already postponed some public engagements, and further changes are now being made to her diary in the wake of stricter measures introduced by the British government.
"Her Majesty will move to Windsor Castle for the Easter period on Thursday 19th March, one week earlier than planned. It is likely The Queen will stay there beyond the Easter period," the palace said in a statement.
Audiences planned this week with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and others will go ahead, but those in future will be kept under review.
Several large public events due to have been attended by the queen and other royals in the coming months will also be postponed or cancelled.
This includes the annual Maundy Service at St George's Chapel, and five royal garden parties.
"Further announcements on Trooping the Colour, the 75th anniversary of VE Day and the state visit by the emperor and empress of Japan will be made in due course, in consultation with government," it said.
The Japan state visit had been planned for this spring.
Queen Elizabeth
When she turned 16, Elizabeth registered with the Labour Exchange – the British employment agency at that time – and was interested in joining the women’s armed forces. While her father King George VI was reluctant, he relented in 1942. Once in the services, she learned how to change a wheel, deconstruct and rebuild engines and drive ambulances and other vehicles. However, unlike the other members of the services, Elizabeth returned to the royal residence, Windsor Castle, each night.
The 93-year-old monarch has already postponed some public engagements, and further changes are now being made to her diary in the wake of stricter measures introduced by the British government.
"Her Majesty will move to Windsor Castle for the Easter period on Thursday 19th March, one week earlier than planned. It is likely The Queen will stay there beyond the Easter period," the palace said in a statement.
Audiences planned this week with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and others will go ahead, but those in future will be kept under review.
Several large public events due to have been attended by the queen and other royals in the coming months will also be postponed or cancelled.
This includes the annual Maundy Service at St George's Chapel, and five royal garden parties.
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"Further announcements on Trooping the Colour, the 75th anniversary of VE Day and the state visit by the emperor and empress of Japan will be made in due course, in consultation with government," it said.
The Japan state visit had been planned for this spring.
When she turned 16, Elizabeth registered with the Labour Exchange – the British employment agency at that time – and was interested in joining the women’s armed forces. While her father King George VI was reluctant, he relented in 1942. Once in the services, she learned how to change a wheel, deconstruct and rebuild engines and drive ambulances and other vehicles. However, unlike the other members of the services, Elizabeth returned to the royal residence, Windsor Castle, each night.
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