The Prince of Wales has tested positive for COVID-19 for the second time and is now self-isolating, his office announced on Thursday. He last contracted a mild case of the virus in March 2020, as it was first engulfing Britain.
“[His Royal Highness] is deeply disappointed not to be able to attend today’s events in Winchester and will look to reschedule his visit as soon as possible,” read a post from the prince’s Twitter account.
His representatives did not immediately comment on the severity of his infection, nor did they say when Charles, the 73-year-old heir to the throne, last had contact with his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Charles’ office, Clarence House, confirmed that he is triple vaccinated.
Charles, 73, met dozens of people during a large reception at London’s British Museum on Wednesday evening, according to ABC News. He was accompanied by his wife Camilla and was in close contact with Britain’s Treasury chief Rishi Sunak, among others.
Prince Charles was scheduled to unveil a statue of a medieval Jewish woman called Licoricia of Winchester on Thursday, according to the BBC, but the plans had to be canceled. Licoricia was a single mother and businesswoman in the late 1200s who was murdered in the English city of Hampshire, though no one was ever convicted.
Queen Elizabeth II marked the 70th anniversary of her reign last Saturday at her country estate, Sandringham. In a statement issued that day, she said she hoped that when Charles succeeded her, his wife, Camilla, would be known as queen.
The New York Times notes that this is a major endorsement that the couple had long sought from the monarch.
“We are deeply conscious of the honor represented by my mother’s wish,” Charles said in a statement. “As we have sought together to serve and support Her Majesty and the people of our communities, my darling wife has been my own steadfast support throughout.”
