As mask wearing became increasingly compulsory in the U.S.—and a culture war issue—it was common to see civilians and celebrities without face coverings in the U.K. Even the royal family was slow to embrace one of the easiest measures for controlling the spread of coronavirus. Though nearly everyone from Princess Charlotte to Prince Andrew was spotted out volunteering during the British lockdown, no one wore a mask until Prince Willam visited a biotechnology firm where surgical masks and lab coats were mandatory.
But on July 24, the British government changed their policy towards face coverings, and now it’s illegal to visit any enclosed public space without one. The first royal to step out since the rules went into effect was Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who was spotted in London wearing a peacock feather–patterned mask on Tuesday as she walked from Clarence House to the National Gallery. She wore the Liberty pattern mask from British brand Fiona Clare with a denim dress and brown leather handbag. Because the family’s COVID-19 response has emphasized following the national rules to a T, it’s likely that other royals will soon follow her lead.
During her engagement at the National Gallery, Camilla did comment on the museum docents’ face shields. “Look at those visors!” she said, according to People. “I cannot speak through this. It’s quite hard having a conversation. Those visors are much easier.”
Despite that, Camilla seemed happy to be back at the museum. “You must be glad to be back,” she said to the staff. “It’s lovely to see this place open. It’s lovely to see relative normality.”
Though they haven’t been wearing masks, the royal family has been practicing social distancing since they returned to in-person events in June. When Countess Sophie made an appearance at her local pub in Windsor to celebrate its reopening with members of a women’s club, they sat outside at a pretty substantial distance. For Princess Beatrice’s wedding on July 17, they limited the number of guests to below the legal minimum and did much of the celebration afterwards outside, which was facilitated by a pop-up pub. According to the Daily Mail, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip went in through a side door so they could maintain adequate distance. For the official photos, they stayed about 10 feet away from Beatrice and her new husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
When the Royal Collections Trust reopened their eight historic locations, including Windsor Castle, last week, they declined to make masks mandatory outside of the gift shops, but they were encouraged. The trust is also collecting visitors’ names, so they can participate in the NHS test-and-trace program if any one later becomes ill with coronavirus.
This week, the church in Crathie Kirk, Scotland where the queen attends services during the summer announced that it would implement a mask requirement and collect names for the NHS. The queen and Philip are due to travel to Balmoral early next month, and where __Prince Charles, Camilla, William, and Kate Middleton will eventually join them. Though they intend to spend time as a family, they’re going to stick to social distancing, the Daily Mail reports, and only get together for outdoor activities.
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