Coronavirus: Queen leaves London and moves to Windsor Castle amid outbreak

Move follows Boris Johnson's advice for elderly to avoid all non-essential contact

Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the Queen is moving to Windsor Castle as a precautionary measure amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Earlier this week, the palace issued a statement on Twitter in which it revealed that Her Majesty would be leaving London for Windsor Castle on Thursday, as she socially distances herself during the pandemic.

The royal is heading for the sanctuary of her Berkshire home a week earlier than she normally would at this time of year, and is expected to remain there beyond the Easter period.

The Queen, who is understood to be in good health, will be based at Windsor with a reduced number of staff and will be following appropriate advice from her medical household and the government.

The move follows advice from prime minister Boris Johnson who called on everyone in the UK, particularly the over-70s, to avoid all non-essential contact and travel as part of unprecedented peacetime measures aimed at controlling the spread of Covid-19.

The Queen, the nation's longest reigning monarch, will celebrate her 94th birthday next month, and the risk of more severe symptoms from the coronavirus is greater for the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.

In addition to the move, Buckingham Palace also confirmed that a number of upcoming events have been cancelled, including the annual Maundy Service at St George’s Chapel on 9 April.

Three Garden Parties hosted by the Queen, due to be held at Buckingham Palace in May, will also no longer take place.

Buckingham Palace has advised that guests already invited to these Garden Parties will be asked to attend in 2021.

Two additional Garden Parties for the Not Forgotten Association and the National Trust will also not take place and will be rearranged to later dates.

The statement added that further announcements on Trooping the Colour, the 75th anniversary of VE Day and the State Visit by the Emperor and Empress of Japan will be made in due course, in consultation with Government.

Despite the alterations, audiences due to take place this week at Buckingham Palace will go ahead as planned.

These include receiving the Prime Minister, the Commanding Officer of HMS Queen Elizabeth and the Bishop of Hereford. Future Audiences will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, in line with the appropriate advice, Buckingham Palace added.

The Queen is not the only member of the royal family affected by the government's advice on social distancing.

On Wednesday, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Princess Beatrice has cancelled her wedding reception due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

The Queen's granddaughter and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi were due to have their wedding reception in the gardens at Buckingham Palace on 29 May.

A spokesperson for the couple said: "Princess Beatrice and Mr Mapelli Mozzi are very much looking forward to getting married but are equally aware of the need to avoid undertaking any unnecessary risks in the current circumstances.

"In line with government advice for the UK and beyond, the couple are reviewing their arrangements for May 29.

"They are particularly conscious of government advice in relation to both the wellbeing of older family members and large gatherings of people.

"Therefore, the planned reception in the Buckingham Palace Gardens will not take place.

"The couple will carefully consider government advice before deciding whether a private marriage might take place amongst a small group of family and friends."