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Coronavirus: Prince Charles out of self-isolation after testing positive for COVID-19

Prince Charles has ended his period of self-isolation after last week testing positive for coronavirus, Clarence House has said.

The prince, 71, was confirmed to have tested positive for COVID-19 last Tuesday, when he took a test in Aberdeenshire.

He and his wife Camilla, 72, had gone to Scotland on Sunday 22 March, and as he experienced “mild symptoms” they were both tested for the virus.

He was confirmed to have it, but Camilla tested negative.

On Monday, Clarence House said: “Clarence House has confirmed today that, having consulted with his doctor, the Prince of Wales is now out of self-isolation.”

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LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales attends the WaterAid water and climate event at Kings Place on March 10, 2020 in London, England.  The Prince of Wales has been President of WaterAid since 1991. (Photo by Tim P. Whitby - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Prince Charles is now out of self-isolation, Clarence House has said. (Getty Images)

The Duchess of Cornwall will continue to self-isolate until she reaches the 14-day recommendation.

UK government guidelines say those who get symptoms of coronavirus, which can include a fever, a cough and loss of taste and smell, should self-isolate for seven days.

The guidance also states a whole household should isolate for 14 days if one person gets symptoms.

Charles was reported to have been working and in “good spirits” throughout his period of self-isolation, at his desk in Birkhall on the Balmoral estate.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 09: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales attend the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 on March 9, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Phil Harris - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Prince Charles was with the Royal Family on 9 March for the Commonwealth Day service. (Getty Images)

He was not bedridden, and conducted meetings by telephone, including one with former Labour leadership candidate David Miliband.

Read more: Coronavirus: Officials defend Prince Charles's test for COVID-19

Miliband is now president and chief executive of the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Charles is a patron of the IRC’s UK arm.

He told Sky News last Thursday: “I had a scheduled call with the Prince of Wales yesterday. Obviously getting the news in the morning of his coronavirus situation made me wonder whether he would postpone but he went ahead with the call.

“He was in very good spirits – he was obviously very engaged with the situation facing people in the UK.”

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Officials in Scotland defended the decision to test the heir to the throne at a time when frontline NHS staff were not yet being routinely tested.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Queen Elizabeth II receives Commodore Steven Moorhouse (centre, outgoing Commanding Officer, HMS Queen Elizabeth) and Captain Angus Essenhigh (incoming Commanding Officer), during a private audience in the Queens Private Audience Room in Buckingham Palace on March 18, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The Queen avoided shaking hands in her final public engagement. (Getty Images)

The nation’s chief medical officer said Charles was tested because he met the criteria, saying it was for “clinical reasons”.

There have been concerns about the Queen’s health, but she is reported to be unaffected, having not seen her son since 12 March.

His doctor estimated he was contagious around 13 March.

The Royal Family is following government guidance on coronavirus and has cancelled or postponed most engagements for the foreseeable future.

Trooping the Colour was the latest big royal event to be amended, with Buckingham Palace confirming on Friday that it would not go ahead in the traditional way, but plans are being made to mark the Queen’s birthday.