They met with scientists helping Britain deal with the pandemic at the Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) in Porton Down, near the city of Salisbury. Although maintaining a strict social distance and arriving by helicopter and private car, neither Queen nor William wears a mask, although the Queen is in the group at an age at high risk of infection.
According to Buckingham Palace, not wearing a mask was due to the Queen following the advice of her doctors. In addition, to protect the Queen, all 48 people in close contact with her and Prince William have previously been tested negative for Covid-19.
This move of the 94-year-old Queen received a lot of mixed opinions. Some commentators see this as a positive and uplifting message as millions of British people are facing the next blockade. Royal author Robert Jobson suggested that the Queen chose not to wear a mask to encourage people to calm down and hope.
“She is sending a message of confidence to everyone; she will be back to work, going to resume her work. She wants to reassure the public that wherever it is safe everything is okay.” is normal, “said Robert Jobson.
Besides, some others criticized the Queen, saying that she should have set an example for the people by wearing a mask. Author Omid Scobie, co-author of the book Harry – Meghan: Finding Freedom, said that not wearing the Queen’s mask caused concern and “not a smart move”.
This is the first time the 94-year-old Queen has ventured out of the royal residence in the past 7 months. Most of the Queen spent time in isolation with her husband at Windsor and Balmoral castles. However, behind closed doors, she was still busy making phone calls, video calls and handling official documents.