Queen Elizabeth expressed her sympathy and support for China amid the novel coronavirus outbreak gripping the world. Her Majesty said that she is praying for the "speedy control and victory over the virus."
The British monarch's message, addressed to President Xi Jinping, was apparently delivered by her son, Prince Andrew. According to the South China Morning Post, the Duke of York had a dinner with the Chinese ambassador to Britain, Liu Xiaoming, on Friday, Feb. 7.
Lui posted on Twitter that he and his wife, Hu Punghua, invited the Duke of York to their residence for the Lunar New Year celebration. The ambassador said that the People of China highly appreciate the enthusiasm of the U.K. for the China-UK relations.
The meeting comes as the Chinese ambassador apparently expressed disappointment that the government of U.K. haven't sent a message or phone call to China through the embassy and Prime Minister Boris Johnson. A leaked email implied that China is angry at Britain.
The report when on to reveal that Prince Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, as well as his eldest daughter, Princess Beatrice, along with her fiancé, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, were also at the dinner. It's unclear why Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank weren't able to attend the special dinner.
Meanwhile, this week marked a special milestone for Queen Elizabeth. While she's mourning her father's death anniversary, she is also celebrating the anniversary of her ascension to the British throne as its new monarch.
The day happened 68 years ago, specifically on Feb. 6, 1952. Shortly after the start of her reign as the new ruler of England, Queen Elizabeth went to her first public engagement two months later, which happened to be a Maundy service at the Westminster Abbey during the Maundy money distribution.
According to People, this tradition dates back to the 13th century and even at 93, the Queen always wants to take part in such a celebration. Buckingham Palace posted a video of this royal engagement.
Those who receive the Maundy money, the Queen's male and female subjects, are also given a small leather purse in white and red. These has newly-minted coins that commemorate special events throughout the U.K.'s massive history. For this year, the coins are about the 200th birthday of Queen Victoria and in honor of Sherlock Holmes, the fictional British literary character. The coins' value ads up to Queen Elizabeth's current age.
