Queen Elizabeth has raised questions around whether she is fully prepared for the coronavirus outbreak at her latest Palace engagement.
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The British Monarch seemingly threw caution to the wind as she ditched her gloves and went “bared-handed” as she shook hands with numerous dignitaries at an audience at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.
While the 93-year-old Queen had worn white gloves for an investiture just a day earlier, something which was unusual for Her Majesty to do and saw speculation arise she was taking precautions, she went back to being bare handed the next day.
The Queen dismissed any fears as she met President of Malta George Vella and the Ambassador of Cuba Barbara Elena Montalvo Alvarez, shaking bare hands with them.
The royal family’s social media accounts posted footage of the monarch greeting the Maltese president and his wife, Miriam.
Mr Vella can be heard telling the Queen he had “always dreamt about” meeting her and “at last it has happened”.
“Oh, that’s very nice, isn’t it,” the Queen remarks.
She was spotted on Tuesday wearing white gloves while she handed out MBEs, OBEs and knighthoods and shook hands with a number of people.
The Monarch was also gloved as she opened the new premises of the Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospital and met staff and patients at the facility on February 19. However it’s more common for her to wear gloves on these types of occasions.
With cases of coronavirus currently at 87 people in the UK, it’s understandable she would be cautious.
Her Majesty turns 94 next month and the risk of severe coronavirus symptoms is greater for the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions.
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