Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday (October 15) conducted her first public engagement, away from her residences, since the spread of the novel coronavirus in the United Kingdom seven months ago, by visiting the military laboratory at Porton Down, in the southwest of England.
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The 94-year-old monarch, accompanied by her grandson Prince William, met researchers working on the new coronavirus as well as scientists who identified the innervative agent that poisoned ex-double agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury in March 2017.
London had designated Russia as responsible for this attack which had caused an unprecedented diplomatic crisis and a cross-expulsion of diplomats never seen since the end of the Cold War.
First exit from confinement
Queen Elizabeth II at Porton Down Military Laboratory BEN STANSALL / AFP
For this exceptional visit in the queen's agenda, precautionary measures had been taken, including screening for Covid-19 of the 48 people who had to meet Elizabeth II and Prince William.
She appeared without a mask in front of the photographers.
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This is the first time that the sovereign has left a royal residence since the confinement which was decreed at the end of March, then gradually lifted in the summer.
At 94, she is one of those at risk for the disease.
The new coronavirus has killed more than 43,000 in the UK, far more than any other country in Europe, and infected at least 654,000 people, including heir to the throne, Prince Charles, who was affected. by a benign form which he healed.
