On one side, I feel genuine sympathy for Prince Charles, as I feel genuine sympathy for every person who tests positive for coronavirus. It sucks and I hope everyone is taking it easy and making good choices for their own health and the health of others in their community. But therein lies the rub! Apparently, everything about Charles’ coronavirus diagnosis is quite controversial. For one, he and the other senior royals were keeping up public schedules long past the point where they should have been taking bigger precautions and self-isolating. Two, Charles traveled to one of his many homes – this one in Scotland – to self-isolate, and Scotland is MAD about it and it’s all about a larger problem of the strain on rural hospitals and doctors in the UK. Three, there’s an issue about how Charles and Camilla were both tested very quickly, and whether they “jumped the queue,” testing-wise. Oh, and then there’s the issue of how many people Charles exposed while he was contagious.
[Charles’] diagnosis has newspapers and tabloids tracking Charles’ movements in the 15 days after he saw Prince Albert of Monaco at a lunch on March 10—before Monaco’s head-of-state tested positive for the coronavirus. One of the immediate aims was figuring out whether or not Queen Elizabeth was exposed. Charles last saw his 93-year-old mother on March 12, and the two reportedly hugged sometime before he went to a fundraising dinner. After that dinner, he didn’t attend any public engagements, though he did take private meetings over the next week. A palace source told the Daily Mail that the queen’s doctors think he likely wouldn’t have been contagious at that time.
According to a report in the Times, March 13 is also the day that Charles and Camilla moved from their London apartments in Clarence House to their country home in Gloucestershire, Highgrove. The couple remained at Highgrove for more than a week, where Charles continued to work, communicating with his staff digitally. The newspaper reports that Charles began to feel symptoms related to the coronavirus before he flew from Highgrove to Birkhall on Sunday. “His symptoms were not sufficiently pronounced to reconsider plans to travel. All actions were taken in conjunction with medical advice,” a source told the Times. The report doesn’t include whether or not he flew commercial or privately and what precautions were taken to limit exposure.
This timing of this trip has become an issue for a few Members of Scottish Parliament, who noted that the British government released guidance against traveling to second homes on the same day Charles would have made the trek to Birkhall. “Second-homers and tourists were being urged not to travel to rural areas, including the Highlands, as it simply spread the virus,” Joan McAlpine, a member of the Scottish Nationalist Party, told the Times. “Presumably Charles thought those rules did not apply to him.”
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon sent her best to the prince in his recovery, but noted the seriousness of the travel guidelines.“We want people to behave responsibly, we don’t want people to see the Highlands and islands of our country as places where they can outrun the virus,” she said in a press conference. “Obviously there are places where people have homes in Scotland and people will choose to go to their homes, but we should all be responsible.”
Now Charles is self-isolating in Birkhall, using separate rooms from Camilla, who tested negative for the virus. A number of the couple’s employees are also self-isolating in their own homes. According to the Times, Charles’ doctors have said that his case is unlikely to escalate beyond mild symptoms, and he is not bedridden.
Yes, it’s incredibly shady that Charles was feeling some virus symptoms while in Gloucestershire and then he traveled to Scotland anyway and got tested there! WTF. Has anyone explained why Charles thought it necessary to move from Highgrove to Birkhall this past weekend? At that point, most people were already saying “stay where you are, don’t travel.” And Charles was like “that doesn’t apply to me.”
As for the testing… some NHS staffers wondered why Charles was able to “jump the queue” to get tested so quickly, especially since his symptoms were (by the official description) so mild. Health Minister Edward Argar issued a statement saying: “My understanding is that his symptoms, his condition, met that criteria. The Prince of Wales didn’t jump the queue.” I think… that’s probably right? Even if Charles’ symptoms were mild, he’s a man over the age of 70. That’s a factor too. And yes, of course he’s the heir to the throne and I imagine that was also a factor. Still, it’s a bad look when Scottish NHS first responders don’t have such easy access to testing.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red and Backgrid.
That anyone made the choice to travel anywhere once it became clear where this was all headed is what boggles my mind. Common sense is in short supply everywhere.
Well, his son and daughter in law chose to go and expose first Responders, so this seems to be a family trait.
I mean, they are all pretty inbred, so…
I didn’t see a story here about how PW’s calls to donate raised $11M for this battle, though. Everyone mocks him and ignores that. Idk.
@kristina 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Great, but he could have made that call from home.
How many sick first responders are worth $11 million?
Those are the trade offs we are talking about here.
Donations happen because people want to help others affected by the virus, not because it was PW who made the pitch. Give the credit where it’s due. The very idea of blood royalty is an anachronism.
i was even nervous traveling just within the US the first weekend of february because i’d been following the reports from wuhan since january. i can’t imagine traveling anywhere now. so selfish
If you’re traveling in your own car with your spouse, who has been by your side and has already been exposed (and tested negative) to a specific location, what’s the harm? He got away from a multiple number of handlers whom he potentially could expose to and isolated location where he and his wife could very much take care of themselves. Sounds logical to me. Charles would have to cough or sneeze on someone to infect them. And if you’re in your own car with your spouse you are adhering to the 6-food rule with everyone else.
William and Kate did the same thing, traveling with their kids to Turnip Toff ville.
He didn’t drive though, he flew. So that’s staff at the airport, staff on the plane (private or not) and possibly whoever collected them from the airport.
Also there is a massive issue in the UK at the moment with wealthy Londoners leaving London with its several thousand ICU beds and travelling to areas (of which the Highlands of Scotland are one) with poor medical provision, thereby crowding out the locals.
If Charles gets worse and is in competition for a ventilator with a 70 year old local man, who do you think is going to get treatment?
Amazing how many asymptomtic or mildly symptomatic famous folks are getting testing but symptomatic regular folks, and healthcare workers can’t get tested – but no one is jumping the cue…sure jan.
When this all settles down, I hope we as a society remember how the rich and powerful treated the most vulnerable
That and the fact that the government put the economy before our lives.
THIS. I’m so sick of reading famous people say “I tested positive for coronavirus. I don’t have any symptoms” right after I’ve read stories of people running fevers, coughing, in extreme pain, who are told to go home and quarantine without a test.
@kebbie 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. Also@OriginalLala. This cris brought out the best in many people, but it absolutely put a glaring spotlight on how the 1% take advantage. it showed how our vulnerable are treated, and our necessary people taken for granted and used until they become vulnerable and somewhat expendable. rinse and repeat. God help us.
This bothers me too Kebbie. It also bothers me that there are still so few tests available in the US and yet Trump gives a daily campaign rally with about 14 people standing on dias with him in close quarters while telling us all to self isolate. Trump is a known germaphobe so you know his ass and the ass of everyone who goes near him is tested on at least a daily basis. I don’t see that he’s doing anything effective unless it concerns money. He’s not pushing for more tests to be available, he’s not helping governors acquire more medical supplies or ventilators. Once again, I think —- given what he should be doing as a president —- his actions are downright criminal.
On another note, I’m not defending Charles continuing his schedule or his traveling to Scotland. I think the senior royals have been foolish and sent a dangerous message to the public when they didn’t cancel their appointments and self isolate. As to his being tested quickly though, he could also have ongoing medical issues — in addition to his age and that he was in contact with someone (P.Albert) who tested positive —- that put him at high enough risk to be tested immediately. That medical information would not be released to public as I’m sure Britain must have a law in place which is similar to our American HIPPA.
+1 for what kebbie said. My besties hubby most certainly has the virus, he was on a field trip with close interaction with an infected person and he’s super sick since a week. They dont test him though and just put him in quarantine. They officially classified him as risk group 1. I dont know who they are saving the tests for, if not for people of the highest risk group. Sigh. he’ pulling through though, it seems, so… yeah.
I get upset because I have already been told with my overall health due to Scleroderma I won’t be a ventilator candidate. I can call if hey symptoms and be triaged over the phone.. but not much else they will be able to do for me. I am only 55 yrs old (I am on oxygen as it is). My spouse is 73 and my caregiver but he is high risk as well. He’s had a pacemaker w/ defib and heart issues for 20 yrs now. We have been trying to stay away from our local city (we live out by a lake). But I get upset because I know our town and county only have 100 tests. We live in a big military dependent community with about 25,000. ( not counting military) 100 tests wouldn’t even put a dent and I am sure those are not ear marked for just anyone.. I hope when all is said and done people do remember how the health care workers and regular people were treated. My sister is head of house keeping at our local hospital. She is ready to drop they have had meetings and preparedness runs like crazy because it’s gonna hit Kansas just as the other states just a matter of time… but she already knows she won’t get tested if it comes down to it. Not enough tests. Just sad. My sister and niece say it’s the same in Germany, and told us not to be fooled by the low death number.. they told me they don’t test so then they don’t have to count a virus patient as a virus patient. In other words like with the orange cheetoe, low numbers means everything.. our lives not so much stay safe everyone! ❤️
He’s the heir to the British thrown. It’s silly to compare him getting a test with random celebrities or athletes.
His life is no more valuable than anyone else’s.
Writing from Spain, we have more than 4k deaths and more than 56k infected people, my best friend is a nurse and yesterday started to show symptoms, she has to wait till the first of april to get tested while being in quarantine in his room. I tell you this because the King and Queen of Spain got tested and had their results in less than three days, so like always it’s us the working class that gets f*cked no matter the country.
Big hug from Italy.
I know what you are going through right now.
Best wishes for all of you. And please be safe, and careful.
It has been 3 days our data are lightly going better. I hope it will get better, but that’s my hope.
My prayers and goodwill to Italy. You guys got hit hard with this pandemic. Wishing all the Italian people safety and health.
@Aims: thank you.
We were the first in Europe….
And it breaks my heart to see all other countries doing our same mistakes.
It’s painful.
Big hug for you too, experts are saying that it’s likely next week our cases and deaths are going to be lower each day, hopefully is true. Can’t believe no one in Europe thought this could happen, especially after it started in Italy.
Apparently Spain is the country in Europe with more filghts from Italy and still 0 action was done in time.
Eleonor – I’m in the UK and seeing what was happening in Italy made my blood run cold. I could not believe how slow we were to act! The Prime Minister was boasting about shaking Covid +ve patients’ hands without gloves just a few weeks ago.
Now there is a weird media campaign turning on the public for going out, but I geniunley think a lot of people are still confused.
They spent BILLIONS on their campaign for Brexit but can’t lift a finger for more public info. and precautions.
We truly wasted what precious time we had.
Healthy juju to all Celebitches everywhere!
I love the international perspectives I find here. This is one of very few sites where I read the comments.
That is devastating to hear! I heard that there was some scandal with the Spanish King. Apparently he received some money from the ruler of Dubai and there was some pressure for him to give it to the health service – is that true?
Not Felipe, the current King -his father.
Unbelievable. Of course he jumped the line! And what does he care how many people he infects? He knows there will always be a doctor and a ventilator ready and waiting for him and his loved ones. It’s despicable.
It is not unbelievable. Money talks! Wealthy people able to pay the price for the finest things in life and the fastest service. I am not agreeing with it because I think is wrong but honestly I would do the same if I were them.
Of course he jumped the queue for testing.It’s part of the whole royal family deal. Hell its just part of every society. the rich are going to get tested for something like this first.
I’m calling BS on the whole “he hugged his mother” line though. I don’t see that happening, ever, ha.
Flying to Scotland at that point was so irresponsible. Even without symptoms, he should have stayed put.
BECKS1 –
100% agree. He definitely skipped the line and got right up top. How incredibly irresponsible of him to travel at this time.
I so agree, Becks1!
I don’t mind that he got tested quickly, because think of how many people he touched/shook hands during that time. He does go to a lot of events and is around many people and those people deserve to know if they were possibly exposed to the virus. HOWEVER, if you read the news (and I’m sure he does, or someone does for him) you know that right now, if you feel even a little bit under the weather stay the F#$K home!!!! My God. How hard is it to comprehend?
Oh, but he has so many homes to choose from.\s
I’m guessing those people he shook hands with can’t get tested though. Aren’t they only testing people who are hospitalized in England?
By the same token lots of people have jobs where the meet tons of people and they are not being tested (even with symptoms as several posters have pointed out). PC stopped shaking hands but still stood way to close to people. I know I saw comments in real time pointing out he needs to back up.
I’m not for all of celebrities and gov’t getting tested but I am for the very top. It does affect of our lives if the very top running the country (cheeto, boris j,qe2) are out of commission.
To the posters above from Italy and Spain, much love and prayers to you and your countries.
I work at an airport and have come into contact with who knows how many people who may have been infected. I can’t get tested because I don’t meet the criteria. So who knows, I may have spread it around even more and given it to my family. I guess we’ll see how it goes.
The working class and poor will always get the short end of the stick. It doesn’t seem to matter though, because they seem not to have a problem supporting the leeches of the world.
okay, that’s a little rude. We, the working class and poor,DO have a problem supporting the leeches of the world….so how do you suggest we change the status quo? Occupy Wall Street got turned around and upside down from it’s original intent. The homeless now camp visibly. Yet still, the rich get richer…and we suffer. How do we change an upside down world right side up?
Proper taxation would be a start. Stop the wealthy hiding all their money if offshore tax havens. Any companies that want bail outs should be nationalised/ partly owned by the state. Profits of the said companies are could be plugged back into the companies instead of creamed off by share holders/ people at the top.
I dunno to be honest, I’m not an economist, lol. I think the whole thing is rigged and it is easy to feel helpless. But we as people do have the power to choose what we spend our money on.
In the UK, people have written lists of all the businesses that have behaved terribly during this pandemic – sacked employees without pay, forcing non-essential workers to still come to work even though there is supposed to be a lock down.
People are also keeping note of businesses that are treating their staff humanely; giving sick pay for self-isolation, donating to the NHS etc.
I certainly know where I am going to spend my money after this.
It’s the same with choosing the media you want to support and not falling for the click-bait.
Our choices do have a collective impact.
Their hands are tied. They can’t form marches and protests because they’re isolating, or they’ve lost their jobs, have no money and are waiting for their pathetic government to do something. When you come up with a better solution other than they’re happily supporting the leeches of the world then kindly post it.
It’s definitely annoying that he jumped the line but I expected it cause rich but his ignoring travel advisories is what really pisses me off. Got to Scotland for what??? He has a perfectly good home in England.
I kind of doubt that he went through the NHS for his testing. Incredibly rich people go to private physicians that aren’t part of insurance plans in countries with insurance or the NHS. They pay cash for their services, in this case probably several thousand for a test, to skip the line and not have to interact with the little people or physicians that they deem unworthy of treating them. Professional sports teams do it for their athletes all the time. They aren’t waiting around to see which doctor is in Anthem’s network. The team knows who the best guy for say a tibial plateau is in the country, sends their athlete there, and then writes a check for $300k. All done outside of insurance.
We were told he and camilla were tested by the nhs. I also heard his aides were tested but not seen that confirmed.
He’s privileged. He’s (maybe) going to be King. Of course he’s going to the head of the line. There were probably huge debates over whether his positive test would be made public. I’ll give them credit for that. Maybe he can now be an example for others? I mean he’s no Tom Hanks but it still is an example of how anyone can get Corona.
Perhaps he went to Scotland to protect the Queen and the other 2 heirs further. Even if they have separate household staff, they don’t want to risk the potential of staff or mutual staff visiting each of their homes and then spreading it this way. I bet royal homes have been sanitized straight away after they found out Charles’ results. Staff in Scotland will just attend to Charles and Cam only. If Anne is sick too and she stays, then my theory is wrong. He just wanted to go to his comfort place then.
Oh yes his privilege sure got his testing accelerated but I side-eye him travelling to Scotland more.
doesn’t sheltering in place mean his staff has to stay where they are as well? Why/how would staff be going between residences? I really doubt this decision was for anyone’s good but Charles. A lot of people as mentioned above are heading to rural areas thinking only of themselves and that this is healthier (for them)
Ah but how would we know since they don’t reveal? Perhaps they can force the live-in staff to remain there but there could be shared staff among them who comes and goes and are only subjected to temperature checks. Perhaps Charles is isolated to a room with zero contact and if true, they can easily say so. But they don’t. I think they are scared and have always shown they will go to the furthest extreme to protect the crown. So the furthest is Scotland. It helps that it gets him away from the prying eyes and he likes it here.
They own so much property in the London area, he could have stayed put at any of them.
They also could all stay in Buckingham Palace and never have to come in contact with each other, it’s huge.
Traveling was irresponsible. I hope he at least brought a doctor or nurse with him, so the locals aren’t burdened if he needs help.
but why would their staff be visiting each other, especially if they’re suppose to be social distancing? it’s not like they all live on one big compound and they share staff. their residences are in different areas of london.
I was worrying about Charles having the virus, but then I remembered that he will get any of these experimental drugs right away, drugs that apparently work best in the early stages of the virus so then I stopped worrying about King Bill happening too soon.
If he was planning to go to Birkhall for Easter, he probably had no qualms about pushing his plans up a few weeks not knowing that his exact movements would come under scrutiny with the diagnosis.
@harper. Thanks. Every cloud has a silver lining. Get well Charles
Scottish lass here, and we are all fkn pissed! Very few Scots have time for the Royal family, and this bullshirt is exactly why. Rules don’t apply to this inbred vacuous idiot, and he’d rather risk the health of millions than stay home and shut up.
Same with the Sam heughan story, I bet he thought if he’s going to be quarantined, he’s going to make a holiday out of it. Selfish and childish, and putting others at risk!
This!! This right here. Might as well make a holiday of it and go to Scotland! Butthead! I am in East Neuk and it’s just silly. You can go to the beach when we don’t have a global pandemic likely to kill thousands. Stay home means STAY HOME. Your home. Not an B&B
I wonder how they know his “mild symptoms” are unlikely to progress? I’m guessing because he got tested and treated right away? Ah, the privilege! I’ve been reading and listening to so many stories of how “mild symptoms” lead to ending up on a ventilator.
Exactly! Not only that, but it’s mutating and new symptoms have been emerging. The “mild symptoms” PR line is probably just to placate and reassure the public that the future king is just fine.
Fortunately, it mutates very slowly. So at least there’s that.
I might be in the minority on this – but I don’t have a problem with a nation’s leader(s) being tested quickly. I don’t think being wealthy or a celebrity should entitle someone to get a test before anyone else. But heads of state (future kings/queens/etc) – that’s a different matter or priority in my opinion.
I agree with you about leaders. They should also add first responders and all medical personnel to the list. The celebs, though, no way. I’m smh that Daniel Dae Kim got experimental treatment with mild symptoms.
Chas a Head of State? Hardly. Besides, how can any one person in line to the British throne be so important so as to warrant such special attention and treatment (which it was) when they have the line of succession figured out to, what, thousands of people? I wish Charles a full recovery but he ain’t that special.
@Elizabeth +1
That Scottish property he renovated not long ago should be temporarily converted to a hospital or quarantine center as thanks from Charles and the rest of BRF.
They wouldn’t dare do that to any of their palaces or stately homes because then people will wonder why can’t they have them as a hospital all year round. It’s obscene.
Charles’ late grandmother’s (the late Queen mother) family
(Bowes-Lyon) opened up Glamis castle as a military hospital during WW1.
Regarding the Covid19 pandemic, It’s the least Charles and his mother can do for the Scottish people if matters there really deteriorate. However, I hear it’s getting a bit better today.
Hoping someone from UK can give us an accurate update.
@Citresse: I’m from the UK. As of yesterday we’ve had about 500 deaths, and some people were young and healthy (or no known underlying health problems that they knew of). And the first doctor has now died. I did hear that yesterday was a lower number of deaths than the day before, but we just don’t know how it’s going to go.
To be honest, I’m trying to take a break from the news. I think most people in the UK are just waiting now, to see if the death rate to really rises sharply and see how much it devastates the NHS/ country as a whole. It feels like waiting to be punched.
Wow, it’s stunning how badly the British Royal Family are handling this crisis. I’m truly shocked at how bad they all are at PR and how they present themselves during times of crisis, first the Andrew debacle, the Sussex exit and now this pandemic, wow, they just don’t get it.
Extreme entitlement + the insulation of privilege. Not a good combination in a time of crisis.
I also think they might be panicking a bit. I said this in another post, but the cagey tone of the BRF in their comments on Charles *and* Elizabeth is rather…interesting imo. Their arrogance got in the way of common sense (because really, any meetings/big group events including Commonwealth Day should’ve been canceled) and now they’re suffering the consequences. But I could certainly be overthinking re: the palace comments on Charles and Elizabeth.
I reckon he went to Scotland because it is where he normally summers, and as the situation is meant to get worse (UK expecting peak mid April) he probably thought it was better to get there early.
As for following instructions re isolating, we all know the rich have different rules.
In the paper this morning, there was article that said that Charles was at risk because of his age and medical condition. Does anyone know what that is?
His condition could be as simple as high blood pressure as that has shown to be a condition that if you have it will make your Covid-19 recovery rough.
Some commenters have noticed he is often very red in the face, and his hands are red and swollen. That could be anything from rosacea to high blood pressure to certain medications to rheumatoid arthritis. Otherwise he seems to be in pretty good health for his age. And the Reuters article didn’t say an existing “medical condition”, it just referred to his “medical history”.
Elitism and privilege rule with the BRF and so goes America, Drumpf and cronies. In our mountain community we are split between those who follow a course of healthy living and those who promote restaurants with poor quality food, (take out only). And the attitude and behavior is apparent. WTH, we won’t be stopped and continue to be of service where we can.
I think Andrew should be quarantined because he is sixty, and he has a medical problem, you know, the non-sweating disease, and since you seat when you have a fever, and he can’t, well that’s bad.
Sorry, I mean “sweat” not “seat”.
@Maria. Great idea 👍🏻
Good, maybe he’ll explode if he gets COVID19 because he can’t sweat.
This has made so many people angry in the UK. ‘Abolish the Monarchy’ was trending all day yesterday on Twitter.
He went to Scotland AFTER the Government had specifically told people NOT to go to their second homes in the countryside. Rural areas with small communities cannot cope with the influx of all these wealthy people who have the luxury to stockpile and run to their second homes. There is a lack of food stores and hospital beds for these number. Also, it’s spreading the virus to other parts of the UK.
His actions are the same as many rich people.
Scotland is already talking about voting for Independence. If there is an outbreak in Aberdeenshire, rightly or wrongly he’ll be blamed for the outbreak.
These people are special, didn’t you know? God anointed them upon birth. (◔_◔)
My absolute favourite story from last week was the council member who got on the radio pleading with folks to not get in their carvan or decamp to their second home up in Scotland because “people live here too”. Bless him. Yeah, lots of my neighbors are pretty salty about folks (tourists) thinking this is a safe place to isolate and draining what resources we have.
“Presumably Charles thought those rules did not apply to him.”
Isn’t it pretty clear at this point that they DON’T? It’s not like they’ll ever actually be held to account for their behavior. They get away with raping children, FFS.
Wasn’t William joking just a few weeks ago about spreading the virus to Ireland? And referring to containment efforts as “DRAMATIC” and “HYPED UP.” To a paramedic at the time: “I bet everyone’s like ‘I’ve got coronavirus, I’m dying’, and you’re like ‘no, you’ve just got a cough.”
And it’s not like he’s possesses even the basic self-awareness to feel bad about being such a d!psh!t in the first place.
Just one more “eff you” to the peasants the royals count on to feed their piggy bank.
The moving from Highgrove to Scotland was definitely shady – UK second home owners were coming under HUGE scrutiny for doing just that and risking the rural resources. However maybe his house in Scotland is super remote, I think there’s nothing around it for miles and maybe he thought he’d be more isolated there so better for other people?! In general I think it’s funny people are even surprised he jumped the queue, if they haven’t figured out by now there’s one rule for normals and one rule for the rich then I don’t know what to say… so given that he’s the heir to the throne it’s like another level above that. However I think I would defend the decision to test him. Yes there is a huge issue with tests in the UK but realistically it’s one test (two I guess for Camilla) and I think it was important they announced he definitely had it as he would have come into contact with HUNDREDS of people whilst incubating this disease and they need to be aware of this – both staff and the general public, no?
Super remote is worse though. That’s further for emergency services to get to you (and your staff that you brought with you / may have infected) and you would have needed local produce from somewhere when scarcity is an issue.