THE Queen was today pictured driving to Windsor Castle with her pet corgi – a week earlier than planned amid the coronavirus crisis.
The 93-year-old monarch will stay in Windsor past Easter as health authorities work to contain the spread of the deadly bug.
She was this morning seen casually dressed in a cardigan and a navy padded gilet, as she was driven away from Buckingham Palace.
One of the Queen’s dorgis – she has two named Candy and Vulcan – could be seen next to her as they both looked out of the car window.
And Prince Philip was choppered from Wood Farm in Sandringham to Windsor today to be with the Queen.
The 98-year-old had always planned to be with her for Easter, with his schedule changed to match her revised plans.
Her Majesty held one of her final engagements in London yesterday – shunning gloves but bowing instead of shaking hands with naval offices at Buckingham Palace.
She also held her last face-to-face weekly audience with Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Confirming the Queen’s change of schedule earlier this week, Buckingham Palace announced: “Her Majesty will move to Windsor Castle for the Easter period on Thursday 19th March, one week earlier than planned.
“It is likely The Queen will stay there beyond the Easter period.”
And Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are still “desperately hoping” they will be able to visit in the summer to see the Queen despite the crisis.
The Sussexes, who are currently in Canada, were due to head to Windsor Castle later this year with baby Archie – who the Queen has rarely seen.
Several royal events will be postponed including all garden parties at the palace and the annual Maundy Service at St George’s Chapel on 9th April will not go ahead.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS – BE IN THE KNOW
More than 30,000 people were set to gather at the palace for the traditional parties in May. Two more garden parties at organised by charities and hosted the palace have also been canned.
Every guest who won a ticket through the ballot will instead be invited to the 2021 garden parties.
All major future engagements including Trooping the Colour and VE Day celebrations are under review.
Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace today announced the Emperor and Empress of Japan had postponed their Spring visit to the UK.
DEADLY SPREAD
The death toll from coronavirus has now reached 108 in the UK with confirmed cases up to 2,226.
Yesterday Boris Johnson announced schools will close from Friday with A-Level and GCSE exams cancelled.
London’s transport lockdown will start from today with 40 Tube stations closed until further notice and the rest of the capital’s transport network to be scaled back dramatically.
Further powers are also being looked at to keep people at home in the coming days and troops will be deployed in a bid to help the nation handle the escalating crisis.
So far 953 people have been infected in London – more than 40 per cent of all confirmed cases in the country.
