THE Queen has held her weekly telephone audience with Boris Johnson – just days after testing postivie for Covid, Buckingham Palace has said.
Her Majesty, 95, tested positive for the bug on Sunday and is understood to be suffering from mild cold-like symptoms.
But despite cancelling her virtual audiences on Tuesday, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said tonight: “Her Majesty did speak to the Prime Minister this evening.”
There will have been much to discuss during the conversation, with the Government dealing with the escalating crisis in Ukraine.
Mr Johnson is also embroiled in partygate drama, with the Metropolitan Police investigating a dozen events – including as many as six which the PM reportedly attended.
The nation’s longest reigning monarch, who will have been triple vaccinated, recently spent more than three months resting, on doctors’ orders.
And there had been fears for her health after she was in direct contact with Prince Charles two days before he tested positive for coronavirus during a routine lateral flow on February 10.
But her speaking with the PM tonight is undoubtedly a positive sign.
Mr Johnson is the 14th prime minister of the Queen’s long reign.
And the pair have held their weekly audiences – which follow Prime Minister’s Questions in the Commons – by telephone for much of the pandemic.
Officials said earlier this week the Queen would “continue to receive medical attention” from her team of royal physicians.
Her shock diagnosis came just a fortnight after Her Majesty celebrated her Platinum Jubilee and said she wishes for Camilla to become Queen Consort when Charles is made King.
Announcing the news on Sunday, Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “Buckingham Palace confirm that The Queen has today tested positive for Covid.
“Her Majesty is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms but expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week.
“She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines.”
Leading well-wishes for the Queen, Boris Johnson tweeted: “I’m sure I speak for everyone in wishing Her Majesty The Queen a swift recovery from Covid and a rapid return to vibrant good health.”
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Sources said coronavirus had swept through staff at Windsor in recent days.
Royal insiders revealed a “number of cases” have been diagnosed in workers based at the castle.
It is understood the Queen, who is just two months away from her 96th birthday, is tested every day by royal doctors.
Her medics will be on hand to take care of and monitor her, with Professor Sir Huw Thomas, head of the Medical Household, expected to be in charge.
It’s believed she spent time with Charles on February 8, when he hosted an investiture at her Windsor Castle home.
It was the first time they had seen one another since Christmas.
The prince tested positive for Covid two days later, but has since recovered.
The Duchess of Cornwall had also tested positive for Covid, with Clarence House confirming on February 14 that Camilla was self isolating.
Her Majesty has led by example throughout the pandemic, sitting alone at her husband’s funeral in April 2021 and cancelling a family Christmas party in December because it was “the right thing to do”.
Despite the period of ill-health she suffered towards the end of last year, when she cancelled a run of engagements and spent a night in hospital, she has appeared to be on sprightly form during her recent meetings.
She was pictured beaming brightly as she met with the incoming and outgoing Defence Service Secretaries on February 16.
