- Prince William tested positive for COVID-19 back in April, shortly after father Prince Charles contracted the virus, the BBC reports.
- William was "hit pretty hard" and was reportedly "struggling to breathe," an insider said.
- The Duke of Cambridge kept his diagnosis private because he "didn't want to worry anyone."
Prince William tested positive for COVID-19 in April, shortly after father Prince Charles announced in March that he had contracted the virus, the BBC reports. A palace source confirmed William's diagnosis to the BBC, though Kensington Palace declined to issue an official comment.
According to the Sun, William spoke to an observer at a public engagement about keeping his positive test a secret, saying, "There were important things going on and I didn’t want to worry anyone." He was reportedly treated by palace doctors and isolated at Anmer Hall, Norfolk, but continued his official duties, carrying out 14 virtual engagements throughout April.
An inside source told the Sun that William was "hit pretty hard by the virus," adding, "At one stage he was struggling to breathe, so obviously everyone around him was pretty panicked."
"After seeing medics and testing positive—which was obviously quite a shock given how fit and healthy he is—William was determined it should be business as usual though," the insider continued. "He was determined to fulfil his engagements."
William reportedly feared that publicly announcing his COVID-19 diagnosis would send the U.K. into "panic mode," the Sun reports. "The Queen delivered her 'We Will Meet Again' address, and he just didn't want to worry people," an insider said. "He felt there were more important things going on in the country."
"But as a result of his own experiences, he realises absolutely anyone can catch this awful disease—and knows how imperative it is that we all take this second lockdown [which the U.K. will enter on Thursday] seriously," the source finished.
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