Prince Charles tested positive for COVID-19 back in March, after experiencing mild symptoms of the virus. The royal proceeded to spend several days in self-isolation at Birkhall, his home on the Queen's Sandringham estate, but otherwise appeared to recover in relatively short order.
However, the Prince of Wales has now revealed that although he's much better—and certainly well enough to return to London and even meet with French President Emmanuel Macron later this week—he's still experiencing COVID-19's effects. During his and Duchess Camilla's first in-person engagement since March at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Charles told the hospital staff that he'd lost his sense of smell and taste when he contracted the virus, and is still feeling that effect now.
Jeff Mills, a healthcare assistant from Cheltenham General Hospital, told reporters how Charles had described the symptoms. "[Charles] did speak of his personal experience, so first-hand experience for him," Mills said. "He also spoke about his loss of smell and taste, and sort of still felt he's still got it now."
For his part, Charles seemed to enjoy getting back to royal business as usual today (albeit a socially distanced version, with everyone remaining a safe distance apart), rather than conducting visits and engagements over the phone or video call. The Prince told reporters, "It's been a marvelous opportunity just to have a chance of seeing people I know have been doing so much—literally on the front line."
Charles added, "And having to endure an awful lot of stress and strain in their wonderful way—how they do it I don't know. But delivering everything in the most effective way."
Chloe is a News Writer for Townandcountrymag.com, where she covers royal news, from the latest additions to Meghan Markle’s staff to Queen Elizabeth’s monochrome fashions; she also writes about culture, often dissecting TV shows like The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and Killing Eve.
