Queen Elizabeth's diagnosis of COVID-19 has added a cloud to an already increasingly turbulent royal family.
The People magazine reported on February 22 that although the 95-year-old monarch celebrated her Platinum Jubilee this year — marking her 70th anniversary on the throne — the start of 2022 can be said to be a bumpy start. In addition to her own health crisis, the royal scandal can be said to be one after another.
Prince Andrew was accused of sexual assault and eventually settled with difficulties, Prince Charles's "cash for knighthood" charity was investigated, and Prince Harry and Meghan withdrew from the royal family.
"This is an unprecedented crisis for the monarchy," one court insider said in this week's cover story. "The royal family has never experienced such a turbulent period."
A royal insider added: "For the Queen, this scandal after scandal is crushing her like a boulder. ”
Since the death of her husband, Prince Philip, in April, the Queen has no more companions to trust. Yet the death of such intimate confidants is not the only one in recent months.
"There is a difference between solitude and solitude," the palace insider said. Considering even mild COVID-19 symptoms, it must be "bound to be hard," insiders added. "Regardless of the symptoms, dealing with other issues in such an adverse health condition would be a huge test."
However, even in difficult times, the Queen remained unwavering. The Queen is "tenacious and mentally strong," insiders added.
Nevertheless, with the cumulative pressure of age, the once vibrant Queen Elizabeth is no longer as glorious as before. Just last week, while gesturing with her cane at a face-to-face meeting, she quipped that she "couldn't move."
She also couldn't participate in one of her favorite leisure activities: horseback riding. Due to "discomfort", Queen Elizabeth has not ridden her beloved pony in recent months.
"In the past, she has maintained her own ability to deal with problems by maintaining sports," commented historian Amanda Foreman, author of Queen Victoria's Buckingham Palace, "and as the negative effects of covid-19 become apparent, it makes it particularly difficult."
"Her main concern at the moment is to get back into a state of combat in order to start the Jubilee celebrations," the insider said.
Sally Bedell Smith, author of the royal biography Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch, added: "She was very, very good at dealing with what life throws at her. She understands that as a monarch, she needs to show her indomitable style in difficult times. ”