THE Queen will keep in close contact with her family using FaceTime and Skype, amid the coronavirus outbreak, according to aides.
Her Majesty, 93, is currently self-distancing at Windsor Castle with husband Prince Philip, 98, as the UK death toll reaches 281.
The Queen is to keep in touch with the rest of the royal family via Skype or FaceTime
According to the Telegraph: “Aides are investigating how best to set up video conferencing at the castle next week, bringing in equipment to facilitate family conversations across the generations.
“Aides are currently working out how best to make it happen, with tools similar to FaceTime or Skype but with the additional security measures required for members of the Royal Family.”
And royal source added: “Like many of the population, this is one of the ways she will try and keep in touch with her family and friends.”
The video technology would also enable the Queen to see her great-grandchildren, with Prince George and Princess Charlotte now being home-schooled with Prince Louis, while Archie Mountbatten-Windsor in Canada with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
The Queen is currently self-isolating at Windsor Castle with Prince Philip
The monarch has also been in talks with No 10 via video link as the palace seeks out “the right moment” to quash fears as the killer bug sweeps the UK.
This follows a Buckingham Palace staffer contracting the killer bug, and testing positive earlier this week.
All staff members they came into contact with have since been placed in self-isolation.
It’s not known how close the afflicted employee was to the Queen, or if they came in face-to-face contact.
A source said: “The worker tested positive before the Queen left for Windsor. But the Palace has 500 members of staff so, like any workplace, it’s not inconceivable it would be affected in some stage.”
It has been announced the Queen is to address the nation to “calm Britain’s nerves” amid the coronavirus crisis.
A source told the Mail on Sunday: “It has been agreed the address will happen at a key moment in the crisis and that it will be a hugely important way to lift the nation’s morale.
“There is no one more experienced than Her Majesty and she will know exactly the right moment to address the country.
“Sadly, there are some very difficult times ahead. The country is going to be hurting. The voice of Her Majesty will provide calm reassurance that, ultimately, we will get through this.”
Yesterday a 41-year-old sadly died after contracting the virus – the UK’s youngest victim yet.
Saturday’s 56 new deaths were recorded for the whole of the UK in the biggest 24-hour leap yet.
And scores of Brits are now working from home, while a select group of hero key workers, including NHS staff, delivery drivers and teachers brave the front line as they battle to keep Britain ticking over in the face of the crisis.
Boris Johnson said without “drastic action” cases will double every five to six days.
Brits have been warned to “be responsible” and stop panic buying because there is enough food for everyone by Environment, Food and Rural Affairs secretary George Eustice.
The country has plunged into crisis mode after the government ordered the closure of all pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants on Friday evening.
