Queen Elizabeth during a virtual engagement last week.Photo: Buckingham Palace
Queen Elizabethis sharing a small glimpse into herbattle with COVID-19earlier this year.
The monarch, who will celebrate her 96th birthday this month,virtually attended the official opening of the Royal London Hospital’s Queen Elizabeth Unitearlier this week. During the video call from Windsor Castle, she spoke with Asef Hussain, who became severely ill after contracting the COVID-19 virus and was a patient in the unit.
“Are you better now?” the Queen asked.
“I’m getting there,” he replied. “I’m recovering. I’m much better. I recently left the wheelchair, so I’m walking about now.”
The monarch said, “I’m glad that you’re getting better. It does leave one feeling very tired and exhausted, doesn’t it? This horrible pandemic.”
Hussain’s wife also told the Queen of how they stayed in touch during his time in the hospital via video chats, including one event where 500 people from around the world signed on together to pray for his recovery.
Hussainsaid of the meeting, “It was an honor and a privilege. She was a very warm lady who was interested in my story — it was lovely.”
Queen Elizabethwasdiagnosed with coronavirus on February 20. A spokesman said at the time, “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,” the statement concluded.
The Queen was widely reported to be fully vaccinated and her COVID-19 diagnosis came after her son,Prince Charles, and his wife,Camilla, Duchess of Cornwallalsotested positive for coronavirus. The Queen last met with Charles, 73, on Feb. 8, two days before he received his diagnosis. Both Charles and Camilla, 74, are triple vaccinated.
By the end of February, the Queen was feeling well enough for an outdoor family visit from some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. On Feb. 27, she met up withPrince William,Kate Middletonand their three children —Prince George,Princess Charlotteand Prince Louis — in the winter sunshine at Frogmore House, which is on the grounds of Windsor Castle, theDaily Mailreported.Princess Beatriceand her 5-month-old daughter Sienna were also there for the visit.
Despite her recovery, the Queen has canceled a number of engagements in recent months, most recently announcing last week that she wouldmiss a pre-Easter tradition of handing out Maundy money, in part due to mobility issues. She was able toappear in-person at a Service of Thanksgivinghonoring her husbandPrince Philipnearly, one year after his death at age 99.
Queen Elizabeth.Richard Pohle - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
TheQueen ElizabethUnit was built on the 14th and 15th floors of the hospital in just five weeks. It consists of 155 beds, making it one of the biggest critical care spaces in the United Kingdom. The unit played a crucial role in supporting the surging numbers of patients due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 crisis.
“It’s amazing, isn’t it, what can be done, when needs be,” the Queen told healthcare workers during the video call. “It’s been very nice to join you, and also to hear about what happened, and how well it has been achieved. Thank you very much indeed, all of you.”
source: people.com
