The Queen has been criticized for not wearing a face mask during her first public engagement outside a royal residence since the lockdown
The 94-year-old monarch visited the Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) at Porton Down near Salisbury on Thursday with the Duke of Cambridge
Neither was wearing face covers, but the Dstl said he had tested all 48 people who were to come into close contact with the Royal Family for Covid-19, and all of them came back negative
Social distance – including between William and his grandmother – was also maintained during the visit
Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, who campaigns for an elected head of state, said: « The Queen should lead by example
« I don’t see how this fits the rules everyone is supposed to follow The palace must therefore offer an explanation in accordance with the rules «
They added: « Specific advice has been sought from medical staff and affected parties, and all necessary precautions have been taken, in close collaboration with dstl »
Royal commentator Joe Little has said the Queen and William will inevitably be criticized but medical advice will have been carefully followed
He described the Queen’s engagement as « visible and timely comfort » during the global pandemic
M Little, editor of Majesty magazine, added: ‘The Queen’s first official engagement away from a royal residence for the first time in seven months provides visible and timely assurance that daily life can continue during the pandemic in modified form , even for someone in their 95th year
« As expected, Her Majesty appeared in good shape and she was no doubt delighted to be back on duty after an extended absence »
It’s unclear exactly when the dstl staff were tested except very recently, and Kensington Palace declined to comment – but it is understood that William was tested and returned a negative result before accompanying his Grandmother
The Queen returned to Windsor Castle, where she spent the lockdown with Philip, on October 6, but the 99-year-old Duke remained in the sanctuary of his Wood Farm cottage on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk
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Queen Elizabeth II, Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge, the British Royal Family
News from the world – GB – Queen criticized for not wearing a face mask during of its first appearance since the lockdown
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
