Britain's Prince Charles, 71, tests positive for coronavirus

The Prince of Wales was tested after displaying mild symptoms and remains in good health

Prince Charles has tested positive for coronavirus. AP 

Britain’s Prince Charles has tested positive for Covid-19, Clarence House has confirmed.

In a statement, a spokesperson said: “The Prince of Wales has tested positive for Coronavirus. 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."

Charles, 71, is next in line to the throne and is the father of Prince William and Prince Harry.

His wife Camilla, 72, was also tested for the virus but does not have it.

Clarence House said Charles and Camilla were isolating at Balmoral, an estate in Scotland owned by the royal family and visited regularly by Queen Elizabeth II.

A royal source said the Prince of Wales was tested on Monday and got the results on Tuesday. Charles has spoken to both Queen Elizabeth and his children.

He last saw the 93-year-old monarch on the morning of March 12 following an investiture ceremony, before the earliest time he would have been infectious.

"Her Majesty The Queen remains in good health," Buckingham Palace said.

"The Queen last saw The Prince of Wales briefly after the investiture on the morning of 12th March and is following all the appropriate advice with regard to her welfare.”

A royal source said that the earliest Charles would have been infectious was March 13.

Queen Elizabeth left London for Windsor Castle on March 19. She is with her 98-year-old husband, Philip.

"It is not possible to ascertain from whom the Prince caught the virus owing to the high number of engagements he carried out in his public role during recent weeks," Clarence House said.

The news comes after the queen cancelled all formal engagements and was moved to her home in the grounds of Windsor Castle amid the worsening outbreak of coronavirus in Britain.

It is thought that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will become the main representatives for the British royals during the global coronavirus pandemic, working to support the NHS and charities.