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The Queen sends message of support to Boris Johnson as PM remains in intensive care

Prime minister Boris Johnson remains 'stable' in intensive care, Downing Street says

Sabrina Barr
Tuesday 07 April 2020 15:45 BST
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Boris Johnson received oxygen but is not on ventilator in intensive care, Michael Gove says

The Queen has sent a message to Boris Johnson‘s family and his pregnant partner Carrie Symonds.

The monarch said the couple were in her thoughts and she wished the prime minister a full and speedy recovery, Buckingham Palace said.

On Tuesday 7 April, Downing Street said that the prime minister remains “stable” in intensive care following the worsening of his coronavirus symptoms.

No 10 added that weekly calls between Mr Johnson and the monarch will not take place while he is receiving treatment in intensive care.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is deputising for the PM, will not be asked to step-in to brief the monarch on Mr Johnson’s behalf.

In addition to the Queen’s message, the Duke of Cambridge also offered words of support for the prime minister and his family.

“Our thoughts are with the prime minister and his family, who like so many in the UK and around the world are affected by coronavirus,” a tweet shared by Kensington Palace reads.

“We wish him a speedy recovery at this difficult time.”

The message was signed “W”, indicating that it was written by Prince William.

On 4 April, Ms Symonds shared a tweet revealed she had experienced symptoms of the coronavirus.

The 32-year-old, who is due to give birth this summer, said that she is “on the mend” following seven days of rest.

Earlier today, the Queen released a message of thanks for healthcare workers to mark World Health Day.

To commemorate the annual awareness day, the theme of which this year is “support nurses and midwives”, the monarch said that she wanted to “thank all those working in the healthcare profession for your selfless commitment and diligence as you undertake vitally important roles to protect and improve the health and wellbeing of people across the Commonwealth, and around the world”.

“In testing times, we often observe that the best of the human spirit comes to the fore; the dedication to service of countless nurses, midwives and other health workers, in these most challenging of circumstances, is an example to us all,” the 93-year-old stated.

The Queen ended her letter by writing: “My family and I send our enduring appreciation and good wishes.”

The release of the Queen’s message for healthcare workers came a couple of days after she delivered a rare address regarding the coronavirus pandemic.

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