Prince Charles made the Namaste prayer sign instead of shaking hands with people during the Commonwealth Day service last Monday, March 9. The Prince of Wales was careful to avoid physical contact amid the coronavirus scare sweeping the world.
The heir to the throne, who is 71 years old, was seen displaying the prayer sign while he greeted people during the annual event. Commentators on BBC, which aired the ceremony live, actually noted that Prince Charles was declining to shake hands over coronavirus fears.
His mother, the Queen, also avoided shaking hands and stayed some few feet away when she greeted the other guests at the Commonwealth Day service. Previously, Queen Elizabeth wore gloves at a recent royal engagement as she handed the awards.
The rest of the royals also appeared to be avoiding the handshake as well, including Prince William and Harry, and their wives, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle. However, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had subtle physical contact with the singer Craig David, who was also waiting in line to greet the Queen.
Guests at the event seemed not surprised at the unusual greetings. Even U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson kept his hands clasped together when he faced Queen Elizabeth.
The prime minister recently addressed the nation to ask locals who are sick with fever to refrain from going out. The U.K. recorded 319 confirmed cases and five individuals have already died as of press time.
Those most at risk from the infection are the elderly. Amid the risks, however, Queen Elizabeth, who is 93 years old, is reportedly "keeping calm and carrying on." The monarch wants to lead by example and proceed with business as usual.
Queen Elizabeth is not stopping from attending to her duties, A source told Daily Mail that she might even make short trips overseas.
During the swine flu outbreak, Queen Elizabeth did not change her schedule. She also didn't become afraid and still went to royal events after London had terrorists attacks.
Meanwhile, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, are also taking cues from the Queen. They won't let the virus prevent them from going on their 10-day royal visit to Bosnia and Jordan, where coronavirus is also present.
The Prince of Wales and his wife are leaving for their royal trip beginning March 17. Officials in the government are in discussion over how to best protect the royal family amid this deadly outbreak.
