On Wednesday heir to the British throne, Prince Charles tested positive for the novel coronavirus. He had displayed mild symptoms and was now self-isolating, his office had said. His wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall who is in self isolation with him had tested negative for the virus.
“He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual,” noted an official statement from Clarence House.
The novel coronavirus has so far claimed over 400 lives in the UK, and over 9600 people have so far tested positive for the virus. The news about the heir to the throne came even as Britain entered its second day of a national lockdown. Police officials have been patrolling the streets to enforce the same.
Amid the concern created by the Prince of Wales testing positive for the virus, an older video involving a British royal and the novel coronavirus has surfaced.
A video clip where his son Prince William can be seen jokingly talking about the coronavirus has resurfaced, outraging many. The video, taken in the first week of March in Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse in Ireland, shows the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in attendance at an event.
“I bet everyone’s like, I’ve got coronavirus, I’m dying, and you’re like, No, you’ve just got a cough,” he can be heard joking with a first responder.
He then wonders if the viral outbreak was being “hyped up” by the media.
““It does seem quite dramatic about coronavirus at the moment,” he can be heard saying.
Prince William was heard speaking about coronavirus to emergency workers during a visit to Dublin’s Guinness Brewery with wife Kate.
“I bet everyone’s like, ‘I’ve got coronavirus, I’m dying,’ and you’re like, ‘no, you’ve just got a cough’,” he said. pic.twitter.com/bLN7ztXEIw
— NBC News World (@NBCNewsWorld) March 4, 2020
Netizens have not taken kindly to the comments. Not simply because of the connection to Prince Charles, but also because thousands in the country have now been affected.
“3 weeks ago Prince William was joking about #coronavirus. Today his father #PrinceCharles tested Positive. Take this seriously, warned one Twitter user.
“I wonder if Prince William thinks that the coronavirus pandemic is being exaggerated and see it as a joke, now that his father, Prince Charles has it?” wrote another.
The Guinness was the ruination of many a man https://t.co/WLw0NXbCtp
— Johnny Connolly (@Johnny_Con_99) March 22, 2020
3 weeks ago Prince William was joking about #coronavirus.
Today his father #PrinceCharles tested Positive.
Take this seriously. #StayHome pic.twitter.com/AKu5KKw9vp— Dr. Mahipal Singh Rathore (@mahipalrathore) March 25, 2020
What misinformation. At this point, Italy & China were on lockdown and people were dying.
As an heir and future King, he should have aware of how serious the situation. Basic decency would have helped too. So, miss me with this excuse.
— TV Fanatic⚜️ (@Khaleesi_Hodan) March 25, 2020
Can’t wait to see how British media will bring Meghan and Harry into the narrative, and somehow blame her. Popcorn ready.
— LK ✨ (@l0rikay) March 25, 2020
I wonder if Prince William thinks that the coronavirus pandemic is being exaggerated and see it as a joke, now that his father, Prince Charles has it? pic.twitter.com/quieOKjA1a
— #Mamba4ever (@gordon_izabella) March 25, 2020
Not long ago, Kate Middleton had a laugh at a homeless shelter. Today Prince William scoffs at people panicking as a result of the melodramatic rhetoric about coronavirus.
What a charming couple. https://t.co/BhAgLvejjx
— Marc (@MarcWinsland) March 3, 2020