Prince William and Queen Elizabeth II stepped out yesterday to visit the DSTL. Yes, we’re still talking about this because the optics really were THAT AWFUL. If this had been She Who Shall Not Be Named, it would have been a week-long story with every royal commentator chiming in about how going maskless was the worst thing ever to happen to the monarchy. And they would have been right, in that case. It is absolutely shocking to me that the Queen and her advisors AND Prince William and his advisors all thought it would be perfectly fine to go maskless for the Queen’s first public event in seven months. My mind is still blown when I think of just how many people had to sign off on this maskless public health hazard. It was so bad that as soon as the photos came out, even PIERS MORGAN was like “eh, this is awful.”
Piers Morgan blasted the Queen and Prince William for appearing in public without wearing face masks today, calling it ‘not a smart move by the Royal Family’. Royal author Omid Scobie also suggested it was a wasted opportunity to present a ‘strong visual’ amid the country’s ongoing fight against coronavirus. The 94-year-old monarch, who falls into the ‘at risk’ age bracket for Covid-19, was joined by her grandson at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) at Porton Down near Salisbury for her first public engagement since lockdown.
The duo met scientists who worked in the aftermath of the 2018 Novichok attack, and are currently supporting the UK’s response to the coronavirus outbreak. But while the pair maintained strict social distancing and arrived separately by helicopter and car, neither opted to wear face coverings – with all 48 people due to come into close contact with the royals tested for Covid-19 by Dstl beforehand.
In response to a tweet from Kensington Palace about the event, GMB host Piers tweeted: ‘Why no masks or social distancing? Sorry, but this is not a smart move by the Royal Family as the virus rages and the country heads into another lockdown.’
Mr Scobie, who wrote the controversial biography Finding Freedom which raised eyebrows for its gushing praise and intimate knowledge of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, tweeted this afternoon: ‘No masks for anyone at today’s engagement, but Buckingham Palace confirm that the Queen consulted her own doctors and all staff at @dstlmod tested negative before the visit.’ He then followed up with a further tweet, writing: ‘My two cents: While sensible and safe precautious were clearly made, I do worry that most people seeing the photos/videos won’t know the back story. As the majority of the UK enters tighter restrictions, seeing leaders in masks would have been a strong visual [sic].’
There were people tweeting @ me all day, saying that I didn’t know sh-t about local mask protocols and social-distancing protocols and everyone involved had a Covid test. Like, this petty a–hole has really brainwashed people, huh? Covid tests aren’t 100% accurate and there are no guarantees about exposure or when people become infectious. I’m glad that everyone involved in yesterday’s maskless stunt – 48 people in all, not including the Queen, Prince William, and the courtiers they brought with them – tested negative for the virus recently. But a negative test doesn’t mean that every single one of those 50-plus people needed to go maskless. Beyond the actual science of exposure and infection of an airborne virus, it was plainly reprehensible optics for two public figures. William and the Queen should have simply worn masks to encourage everyone else to wear masks. The point of all of this is not to look for an excuse or a work-around to avoid mask-wearing.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
Head Up Ass. These people are absolutely impossible.
Yeah.
Also, why does it seem like this queen lady is so slow to respond to major things that should be obvious? Is the queen lowkey a dumbass? Or is her EQ hella low?
I think she might be senile and/or lied to by people who are willing to manipulate her and who don’t care about her health. Plus, there are two adults who are ready and eager to step into her shoes the moment she goes, so isn’t she expendable at this point? (I mean, the royal family is useless anyway so they’re all basically expendable, but I suspect there are people around her who think her best days are behind her but she won’t retire)
How awesome would it have looked if her designer just started making a mask for every couture ensemble? She would be making headlines for stylish safety precautions. She would have been the example for the country. Instead, here we are. She and Trump are two peas in a deeply messed up pod. Trump just says all the awful parts out loud that are supposed to be secret.
Ridiculous.
There’s a pic of Kate Beckinsale with a white/gold mask in the same fabric as her dress somewhere (Venice?) and she looks amazing! That’s the way to go.
Royalty from other countries seem okay with being pictured in masks. Camilla and Charles when doing indoor events wear one. It amuses me when royal followers say that the rules are different in the UK. Does that mean the virus behaves differently in different countries?
Politics aside, I absolutely love Nancy Pelosi’s commitment to matching her masks to her outfits. I wish I had that kind of Big Mask Energy!
I’ve just decided this is the new normal and picked up a bunch of coordinating masks in florals, plaids, polka dots, etc. It makes it more bearable for me. I’ll be leaving the house for work for the first time since March and I’m already strategizing which mask will look best with my suit. (I also have to practice walking in heels because six months of tennis shoes, wedges, and boots have me spoiled. )
I also try to match my mask to my outfit or at least the season. Bright, floral Vera Bradley masks are out. Lots of plaids and autumn colors – IN.
@HufflepuffLizLemon: I have done the same thing.
I went to a local shop,not even on internet, and I have chosen my masks in the colours I like the most, I coordinate with my outfit.
The Queen would be horrified to hear that she and Trump are two peas in the same pod.
The Queen can afford masks made of fabric woven with gold thread and encrusted with diamonds and other precious stones. Why she chose not to wear any mask is beyond comprehension.
@Kaiser – do not give in to those people. Wave it away. I’ve lived in London and although I took the risk going back to my country and am currently here, where numbers are also going wild, I follow what is happening back there as I wish to go back. And trust me, no matter what anyone says I would be wearing a mask, as I am now, and be staying locked in. I know I’m lucky to be working from home, which many people aren’t and I’m grateful for that. But masks are common sense. Whatever anyone else says. And Queens behaviour needs to be discussed and criticized.
The test has proven to give false negatives. And they could be carriers and be asymptomatic. This was reckless behavior and shows they do not take it seriously. but keep in mind, this is the same woman who reportedly was upset that her Christmas staff didn’t want to spend close to a month away from their loved ones (during a pandemic) because obviously washing her linens and serving her and her dogs food is more important in the grand scheme of things.
The BRF is just like the Trumps. And they all need to go.
This. I had Covid in August/September, and I tested negative before I tested positive. Too many people are acting like a negative test means they can do whatever they want.
Earlier this summer, my aunt took a COVID test on a Monday and Wednesday it came back negative. She was admitted to the ER the following day and the nurse dressed in basically a hazmat suit and gave her another test and explained the first test could be false. WOW. My mind was blown. Bottom line: No one is safe and there is no way of knowing who carries and who dies not since this virus has few standard symptoms across the board.
It’s about 60% that you get a false negative. We never trust the first test at my hospital. We assume everyone we will be doing a procedure on is positive and dress accordingly.
I get strange looks all the time, as I am masked pretty much any time I am not in my own home. I work with the public all day, every day, and have a mask on the entire time. It ain’t that much of a hardship. I’ve also been tested for COVID 14 times for the same reason…I work with the public, and it is the right thing to do, not only for their safety, but also for my own and that of my parents and my boyfriend (who has Crohn’s Disease and is on Prednisone, which means his immune system is all kinds of wonky).
I don’t get how people complain about or refuse to wear masks. Would they rather have an intubation blade stuck down their airway? I wouldn’t!
Plus, on a more selfish note, because of wearing masks, i haven’t had to wear makeup since Mid-March. That’s been a big upside for this girl.
@seraphina do you know what came of that Christmas story? Is she not travelling for Christmas after all?
@one of the Mary’s: https://www.celebitchy.com/682670/the_queen_is_furious_that_staffers_refuse_to_isolate_for_4_weeks_over_christmas/
Not sure what she is doing at this point though and if anything has changed.
What struck me was how outraged Britons were at the idea of criticizing the Queen. There was a strong sense of “how dare you question your betters?” in a lot of the commentary. They really think she’s above even these very mild critiques.
But she is God’s chosen one, of course she is. So if mere peons think that of Her Mag the Petty, imagine what she must think of herself.
omg, I’m watching some segment with Dan Wootton and Ben Butterworth (no clue who he is, it says hes a journalist) and Wootton is ALL IN defending the queen. Wootton even brings up Harry and Meghan, and the journalist responds “well I bet Meghan Markle would have worn a mask” LMAO.
Look, overall, mask wearing may not have been technically required in this situation. but like I said yesterday, I cant believe they didn’t require everyone around the queen wear one to protect her. And its also just setting a good example and helping to normalize mask wearing, which we need right now .
Where is Charles?
They haven’t done anything in 2 days (for Camilla) and 3 days (for Charles) – so I dunno. Maybe they’re traveling to Scotland or something?
Charles might have been smart enough to stay out of the maskless indoor event. Now if the Queen gets Covid, William will be associated with the event and not Charles.
Just updating for those who care lol – I was right, he’s in Scotland. I feel like they usually go this time of year (remember when Camilla skipped Eugenie’s wedding bc she had engagements in Scotland?)
William is Andrew 2.0. Hiding behind his granny to avoid the criticism of Lacey’s book, risking her health in the process and also exposing her to criticism.
Seriously, what kind of grown man hides behind his granny? William isn’t a statesman, he’s a cowardly little wimp.
Well, it’s obvious all of them had to wear masks. Though the Queen didn’t surprise me. I’m not sure she believes in viruses at all. Anyway she’s doing as she pleases. Pity the others followed her example.
I’ve got one more thing from this excerpt – one of them arrived there by helicopter? Who, our “great environmentalist” Prince William?
My guess was William as well, he and Kate are back at Anmer zooming their hearts out this morning. Or maybe he took a car from London and the queen took the helicopter and then William took one back to Norfolk yesterday.
There’s a photo of the Queen departing in a car. So yes it seems the Great Environmentalist traveled by helicopter.
They could have put her in a really cool visor to preserve their photo making opps.
It would have sent a clear message to the British public and become a history defining moment, Instead here we are again debating masks, which I believe was ALWAYS the intent.
Time to get rid of these clowns.
It’s just such bad optics. I know people are going to insist that it was fine because social distancing, but most of the recommendations are masks AND social distancing, especially when you’re around people who aren’t in a bubble.
Masks, physically distancing and WASH YOUR HANDS…..
Yes! thank you for adding that. I feel like people have stopped talking about that and its so important to regularly wash your hands.
A negative test at that moment doesn’t mean a negative ALWAYS. It doesn’t mean you can forgo a mask.
And those rapid response tests have about a 60% false negative. We don’t conditionally believe a negative result til the second test comes back. And even then you might have it and it not showing up yet because it’s too soon.
We always assume a positive when we do procedures
The ‘apolitical‘ royals not wearing masks has become a bit of a political issue- it’s been seized by anti maskers as see the Queen is against masks too & the right wing newspapers in the UK were saying ‘masks not necessary for Queen’ etc so..not great. Does she really want to be seen on the same side as Trump on this issue
This is trump and his anti maskers lunatics territory. Good to see they are appealing to the fanbase.
What happened to lead by example?
Great point AbritGuest.
1. Wear a mask – we need to optics of leaders and visible/public figures doing this consistently.
2. Leave the tests for those who need them. We don’t have major shortages right now but there aren’t enough and the labs are taking too long to get results out.
3. STAY AT HOME. The world has fundamentally changed and I can only assume this was billed as ‘reassuring’ the British public that all will be well (keep calm, etc.) but that’s nonsense. She’s trying to show her relevance and more and more people are realising this whole institution is utterly pointless. This does not demonstrate that the BRF are necessary.
Right! Stay home!! Was all of this, the waste of tests, the drain in researchers’ time, the fuel for the helicopter, all worth it just so she could leave one of her many castles to show off a plaque??? I have a relative her age and she’s not been allowed to leave her assisted living other than for doctor visits for the past seven months, much less hang out with her grandson named 48 scientists for an ego boost.
Maybe Kate sent the masks and they were all too small. 😉
Haha. Just reading a full description of her outfit at her last event and it was confirmed it’s a child mask she keeps wearing. That is so weird to me. If it’s the pattern she likes there are plenty of pretty floral masks in adult sizes….
The royals should absolutely be wearing a mark idc what the Tories say. Cases are rising sharply and so are deaths. If royals are supposed to be “role models” then they should model good behaviour – especially the 94 year old in the at risk group
Whether the royals like it or not, wearing a mask (until a vaccine comes) is going to be the “new normal” so they better get used to it but also show everyone that they support mask wearing and understand it’s so that everyone can keep safe.
But they’re so afraid of looking “political,” dontchaknow. 🙂 Because wearing a mask is totally a political statement. LMAO.
In all seriousness, you’re spot on but the BRF would have to be caring and compassionate human beings to do this and, well, they’re not.
So glad Meghan is out of there. If she was still there you know she would have felt the responsibility to set an example by wearing a mask. Newspapers would have attacked her as a coward endlessly for it. Courtiers would have been raging at her because she wouldn’t be following whatever Boris Johnson wants that week, while also making the rest of the family look bad on the global stage for not wearing masks.
It’s amusing that Meghan is so resented for “making them look bad.” They make themselves look bad!
Everyone at the White House Superspreader event had also tested negative.
Bingo —and given that I can’t believe how boneheaded this move by the royals is.
The whole “no precautions from us please, we’ve been tested” is obnoxious and does not even work!
Plus it’s arrogant in a country where timely access to tests remains iffy for ones “subjects” to use massive testing resources to avoid inconvenience and to perpetuate optics that everything is “normal”.
Props again to Meghan for bouncing from this scene, these people are not smart.
Well, everyone except Trump, probably — who knows when his last negative test was before his diagnosis, because he refuses to say. So many people seem determined to LEARN NOTHING these days.
It is just not a big deal to wear a mask, and it protects other people from potential infection. If you’re not willing to suffer a minor inconvenience to set an important example, GTH out of public life.
Exactly this. There is an example of testing negative proving to be false just a few weeks ago and these fools in the UK think the virus won’t get them. The UK numbers remain pretty awful and while not as bad as the US, they remain some of the worst in the world. It’s a small island with high population density so maybe they should be extra cautious.
The Queen and Trump are cut from the same cloth. No wonder they got on so well. If she’s going to do public engagements she should wear a mask and everyone around her should too. However if she does get COVID, we are never going hear about it. The royal rota were in PR damage control yesterday trying to protect her from criticism. So much for the public scrutiny they bleat about.
oh come on now AmyBee. You know the “public scrutiny” is reserved for Meghan.
Oh, I know. Camilla Tominey who’s always talks about public scrutiny when it comes to Meghan was defending the Queen’s behaviour yesterday.
Let her catch it. See how long she lasts
or alternatively, the virus doesn’t follow a predictable path and affects different people differently
what if it’s william that gets it and the worst happens?
Charles and William want her job now. I believe if William can find a way to push Charles out (after Petty Betty retires or dies) I believe William would do it. He seems manipulative and back stabbing, out for what he wants regardless of who he walks on to get it. Charles shouldn’t underestimate William. William appears to be very controlling,he seems to have a lot of his grandparents in him. He’s a racist, he’s cold, selfish and manipulative. That’s what I see every time I read or see anything related to those people. The BRF and their stans have nothing good to offer in general but even less to offer black Britons or commonwealth countries of color. The lies the queen and the other senior royals are for political reasons, definitely not personal. They will claim diversity but what they really mean it’s fine as long as it’s “Not in my family though “. It’s only for other families.They are all full of shite.
At my job (an SNF) a 93-year old black resident survived COVID-19. She did not even need hospitalization so yes every person is affected differently.
Wearing masks is medical advice. The people screaming the loudest are saying it is political because it is in their interest. Thank you for staying strong on this @Kaiser.
Masks are our only protection right now. Tests are not protection. They are often wrong and the virus can be spread while still testing negative – see White House hot spot and super spreader events.
This is not a shining example of Keep Calm and Carry On. More like Play Stupid Games, Win Stupid Prizes. Proving again what I’ve commented recently, the palace courtiers are not up to the job and the RF either is not bright enough or they do not have the backbone to stand up to the courtiers.
The courtiers have never been up to the job. This is what happens when you only employ people whose daddies and grand parents you gifted earldoms and knighthoods to. The sanguinity stinks to high heaven and it will become the hubris of the BRF.
Masks are not our only protection right now. Masks are part of the whole. Wear a mask when indoors anywhere that is not your home. Keep a 6 foot (2 meter) distance between you and everyone else. And Wash Your Hands, wash your hands, wash your hands. This VITAL bit of protection keeps getting missed in the endless (and silly) mask debate.
Also, an added layer, I often wear white cotton gloves, especially in grocery stores, then take them off before getting in the car, then sanitizing my hands before I touch anything in my car,
Wash Your Hands, keep physically distant (we will always be social animals, so please be polite but still talk with each other), and wear a mask. Be smart, be safe, and be kind.
HOW many staff members have upending their own lives the last seven months to protect the health of this woman?? What a slap in the face to everyone who quarantined from their own families or sacrificed time to meet the new travel and schedule changes of her and Prince Phillip. All so she can crabby walk through the indoor spaces of a random military base on a Thursday without a mask. Kings and queens all over the world are wearing masks BECAUSE IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
Not only from a practical standpoint is wearing masks important but Jesus Christ on a biscuit: these people are SO tone deaf on the PR side. She and now William are supposedly all about Duty and Responsibility-wear a fucking mask to demonstrate how much you care!
QE2 has spent her entire adult life not having to worry about anything which impacts ‘normal’ people. Clearly this mindset is firmly embedded – she is different/better than them so can do what she wants.
I posted a comment on a DM article on a Kate event, something like, “And not a mask in sight.” Omg the nasty comments I received! How the event was outdoors and they didn’t need masks, I didn’t know what I was talking about, rules are different in England and other such nonsense. And the down arrows far exceeded the up arrows. 🤷♀️
My husband is a family doctor. This past week he lost his first patient to COVID. a 37 y.o. with no health factors (comorbidities). It really hit him hard because that patient could have been me-His wife and mother to his children. He posted about why you need to follow protocols – even if they aren’t law. A few people tried to argue him. Well, all of his doctor friends/colleagues attacked using science and articles and reason. And it didn’t help. Some people just can’t see reason, empathy or think beyond themselves.
Please, please, please wear a mask and don’t gather in large groups.
Stay healthy and Stay Safe.
Utterly horrible. THEY NEED TO WEAR MASKS. Their “business as usual” approach is going to create a lot more anti-monarchists. And look at William leveraging his grandmother- if she gets the ‘Rona, will he be blamed and have anyone else to hide behind? Or will the tabloids blame the Sussexes for their deliberate masklessness?
They will blame the Sussexes by saying that she was so depressed that they moved away that it distracted her and her resistance was lowered and therefore it’s all their fault.
The articles would be like when Charles had it; Harry would be slammed for not being in the same country. As if being in the same country meant that he could see the sick person or prevent the illness or make a difference in any way.
Idiots, including James “MAGA” Woods, were all over Obie’s timeline posting a picture of Meghan not wearing a mask…
Taken at a reception during the Australian/ New Zealand tour IN 2018!!!!!!!!!!
Woods deleted his comment once Obie pointed out that it was 2 years old but some others actually argued that it DIDN’T MATTER WHEN IT WAS, she should still have worn a mask.
I just…
OK this made me lmao and now I’m in tears. Seriously someone argued it didn’t matter and she still should have been wearing a mask two years ago before COVID-19. I have to close my door, or someone is going to come in and cart me off to the mental ward.
Omid is being attacked for pointing out all the racist comments he gets and some of it comes from the reporters themselves, like Richard Eden , who then realized he was being super racist but the internet is forever and the screencap was caught in time.
It is really insane all the attacks happening against those who are merely perceived as being pro Harry and Meghan. Some real journalist should investigate the source of all this trolling and determine if it is linked to the DM or perhaps even KP.
James Woods, Kirstie Alley, Scott Baio, Clint Eastwood et al are all a bunch of Aholes.
You know who also claimed to test on the reg? The WH. And yet the super spreader rose garden event happen.
Like why did they have to go maskless for a stupid plaque? I said yesterday, that the queen must have been missing the adulation and I still stand by it.
Everyone who kept carrying for TQ saying she can’t go against her government. Well, her government now has a three tier system. I’m not sure where the event was held and what tier they would have been in, but the lowest tier, tier one, says that there shouldn’t be more than six people meeting indoor or outdoor. There were definitely more than six people at the event. Tier 2 places, like in London, says that there’s no indoor household mixing. TQ and PWT are definitely from different household. And the rule of 6 should be applied for outdoor meetings.
Do the royals think that their royal blood will make them immune? Did they forget that Charles caught it? They are acting so very trumpy.
It’s wrong on a number of levels. That fact that they even confirmed that not only do the royals get regular testing, but so does their staff AND everyone at their engagements. The fact they can do this to ensure THEIR safety only shows their privilege, whilst everyone else is having to work, and use public transport whilst coming into contact with god knows what. Wouldn’t it be nice to know that you will never have to cross paths with anyone who has Covid. Meanwhile in the real world, die hard royal fans/trump supporters will see this and think if the queen isn’t even wearing a mask then they don’t have to. I’ve already see her supporters on twitter defending this. F*cking irresponsible.
Just set a good example and wear a mask. It’s so easy.