Queen Elizabeth has been carrying out her royal duties for nearly seven decades, but the COVID-19 pandemic has given her an unexpected chance to slow down and take a break from active public service.
A source told People that Queen Elizabeth managed to "only slightly rest" for much of 2020 since she was in a protective bubble in Windsor Castle. When the pandemic hit, her usually busy calendar was canceled, and it has remained empty except for a few virtual appearances. The Queen had to adjust to online appearances and video calls as her only communication to people outside her bubble, aside from the phone.
For someone who is used to a flurry of activities, the Queen found herself with fewer royal engagements during the lockdown. The source said that it should feel "lovely" to not have the pressure to work, but Her Majesty has been in public service "her whole life."
Nevertheless, the insider assured the public that Queen Elizabeth is healthy and doing well at 94. She is turning 95 in April 2021 and will celebrate a public birthday parade in June at the Trooping the Colour event.
In early January, Queen Elizabeth and her 99-year-old husband, Prince Philip, received their first doses of COVID-19 vaccination. True to her vow, the monarch wanted to lead by example and had the inoculation to assure the public that the vaccine is safe.
However, the Queen will not make her second vaccination public anymore. According to Daily Express, Her Majesty doesn't want the public to speculate on which vaccine she's had.
Royal commentator Richard Myers said that it makes sense to keep this a secret this time because people might only go for the vaccine the Queen had. It will become problematic and impact the government's public health program to vaccinate as many people as possible.
The United Kingdom has been rolling out two vaccine types from Pfizer/Biotech and Oxford/AstraZeneca. The latter vaccine has been developed in the United Kingdom, and because it's British-made, there were speculations that the Queen waited for its approval before finally getting the jab.
Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth will mark the 69th year of her reign on Feb. 6, the anniversary of her father's death. But she has been the longest-ruling British monarch since 2015, surpassing her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, who was the monarch for 63 years.
The Queen and Prince Philip are also the longest living ruling royal couple in the history of Britain's monarchy. The pair will celebrate 74 years of marriage this November.
