Queen Elizabeth's Mask-less Public Appearance Has Sparked Concern
Queen Elizabeth’s Mask-less Public Appearance Has Sparked Concern
Apparently, everyone around her had tested negative.
It has been months since we've seen Queen Elizabeth outside of a Zoom call, but today, the 94-year-old monarch is finally back on the scene.
She joined her grandson, Prince William, to visit the top-secret Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down, in Wiltshire, U.K. The Queen wore a pink jacket with a matching hat and black loafers. Noticeably missing from her (and William's) ensemble was a face mask.
According to ITV News royal editor Chris Ship, Buckingham Palace said that the Queen's tour was private and therefore a mask was not required. "Buckingham Palace says the Queen was not wearing a face mask (and nor was Prince William) after consulting her own medics and those who work at @dstlmod," he wrote on Twitter.
Buckingham Palace says the Queen was not wearing a face mask ?? (and nor was Prince William) after consulting her own medics and those who work at @dstlmod pic.twitter.com/BlZY7gLmu2
— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) October 15, 2020
RELATED: Whatever You Do, Don't Touch Queen Elizabeth's Purse
Ship also added that people at the facility all tested negative for the virus before her visit. In the comments, people were concerned for her safety and disappointed at the precedent it sets.
Wonderful. And every person who sets their eyes in these images will know that immediately won’t they? No.
So people are going to see these images and think “queen doesn’t bother. Why should I”
She should wear one for the optics alone.— D (@davvyk) October 15, 2020
Not the point. We wear masks to protect others. What an example to set. William is often seen wearing a mask so I guess all were told not to
— sassyjan (@sassyjan3) October 15, 2020
The outcry isn't unfounded either. As we've seen in the U.S. with Donald Trump, even with a group of people who have had negative results, the virus can spread.