Updated: 7.25pm
Britain's Queen Consort Camilla has tested positive for Covid-19 after suffering from cold symptoms, Buckingham Palace has said.
Camilla has cancelled her appearance at events across the country this week – including celebrating Milton Keynes becoming a city – after contracting the virus.
Camilla is said to be in good spirits and resting and is disappointed not to be able to fulfil her engagements.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “After suffering the symptoms of a cold, Her Majesty The Queen Consort has tested positive for the Covid virus.
“With regret, she has therefore cancelled all her public engagements for this week and sends her sincere apologies to those who had been due to attend them.”
Camilla was due to visit Elmhurst Ballet School in Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Tuesday, to celebrate its centenary, and later that day a library in Telford to thank staff and representatives from outreach and voluntary groups for their contribution to the community.
Earlier on Monday, Buckingham Palace had initially said the queen consort was suffering from a “seasonal illness” and had postponed her trip to the West Midlands, but was hoping to be well enough to fulfil the rest of her royal engagements this week.
But she has tested positive for Covid and has cancelled a Clarence House reception, which the king was also due to attend, on Wednesday where literary guests would have celebrated the second anniversary of Camilla’s online book club The Reading Room.
Charles is still planning to visit Milton Keynes on Thursday to celebrate it being awarded city status, as part of the late queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, but will now travel without his wife.
Camilla caught Covid early last year and had to cancel her appearance at a number of events in the aftermath of the illness.
Princess Anne deputised for Camilla at the Cheltenham festival last March, as she was pacing herself after overcoming the virus. She also missed a Commonwealth event.
