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FACTCHECK

Debunked: No, Queen Elizabeth has not been diagnosed with coronavirus

A post on Instagram claiming that Queen Elizabeth has coronavirus is untrue.

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FAKE NEWS AND misinformation is proliferating across social media during the Covid-19 outbreak, and this post on Instagram is another example of something that’s just not the case.

At the time of writing, this post on date360 has over 1,400 likes.

It says: “Royal Palace confirms Queen Elizabeth tests positive for coronavirus.”

It is simply untrue. 

No spokesperson for the royal family has said, implied or suggested this to be the case.

No official statement has been released.

No reputable news outlet has reported this.

coronavirus-fri-apr-3-2020 Victoria Jones / PA Images Victoria Jones / PA Images / PA Images

Official announcements from the royal family are often very formalised with confirmation only coming from official spokespeople, such as when Harry and Meghan announced they would no longer be doing royal duties

Just over a week ago, a spokesperson for Prince Charles confirmed he had tested positive for Covid-19.

The 71-year-old heir to the British throne is displaying mild symptoms “but otherwise remains in good health”, a spokesperson for the British residence Clarence House said.

His mother, the 93-year-old long-serving Queen, is set to address the British people tomorrow on the coronavirus crisis.

Up to and until an official announcement is made, you can take it that this “Royal Palace confirms…” news is nonsense.

Have you gotten a message on WhatsApp or Facebook or Twitter about coronavirus that you’re not sure about and want us to check it out? Message or mail us and we’ll look into debunking it. WhatsApp: 085 221 4696 or Email: answers@thejournal.ie 

TheJournal.ie’s FactCheck is a signatory to the International Fact-Checking Network’s Code of Principles. You can read it here. For information on how FactCheck works, what the verdicts mean, and how you can take part, check out our Reader’s Guide here. You can read about the team of editors and reporters who work on the factchecks here.

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