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He thought he was doing the right thing – but Prince William’s decision not to let his countryfolk know he had Covid-19 earlier this year might not have been the best idea.
He thought he was doing the right thing as he didn’t want to worry an already nervous nation – but Prince William’s decision not to let his countryfolk know he had Covid-19 earlier this year might not have been the best idea.
Royal experts believe the second-in-line to the throne should have come clean even though the UK, like the rest of the world, was going through tough times.
“It was a retrograde step in terms of transparency,” says Jo Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine, a sentiment shared by others.
“Was it wise on the part of Kensington Palace to suppress it? I suppose you could say that we’re living in extremely unusual times and it was done with the best of intentions. But with the benefit of hindsight, I suppose it is questionable.”
Chris Ship,
royal editor for ITV, also questioned the “wisdom” of hiding his diagnosis
while royal commentator Robert Jobson even went so far as to accuse the palace
of lying and undermining trust.
William (38) tested positive for the coronavirus in April, shortly after his father, Prince Charles (71), caught it.
He bunkered down with Kate and the kids at the family’s country home of Anmer Hall in Norfolk, but still carried on with his royal duties via video calls.
It’s only emerged now after sources told The Sun he had opened up about his diagnosis to extended family and close friends, confessing the disease left him “breathless”.
William
was reportedly treated by palace doctors and did not pass on the virus to Kate
(38) or Prince George (7), Princess Charlotte (5) and Prince Louis (2).
A source close to the royal family dispelled some reports that the prince was hit hard. “My understanding was that William was not bedridden and actually coped pretty well with the virus, working for most of the time he had it.
“It was no secret among the family, but William didn’t want it getting out because he didn’t want to worry the nation.”
While
the exact timeline of his illness is still under wraps, William did appear to
take a week's break from work duties from 29 March, returning on 8 April for a
talk with children of key workers.
Understandably the queen was left highly concerned after both her direct heirs contracted the disease. “The priority was keeping Her Majesty shielded and safe, which was thankfully what happened,” the insider added. “But of course, the queen was worried for Charles and William and relieved that they suffered only minor symptoms.”
Sources: dailymail.co.uk, vanityfair.com
