Annual Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in London
(Photo : Reuters)

For older adults and those with preexisting health conditions, the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) poses significantly more health risks such as pneumonia. 

And with its members belonging to high-risk age groups, the royal family will be closely coordinating with their medical teams amid the outbreak. 

"Clearly, members of the royal family are in high risk groups-not just over 70 but over 90 years old, too," said Dr. Anna Hemming, who spent seven years working as an in-house doctor at the Buckingham Palace where she looked after the royal family. 

For the sake of their own health, the senior family members will follow protocols such as self-isolation in case they, or anyone in the household, are feeling unwell with symptoms of fever or cough. 

Social Distancing

Announcements have been  made earlier by the royal family that upcoming events involving the gathering of large groups of people due to be attended by royal family members, most especially the queen, will either be cancelled or postponed. Advisories for other upcoming events, such as Trooping of Color, and the scheduled state visit of the Emperor and Empress of Japan will be made 'in due course'. 

"The queen always attracts huge crowds when she makes official visits so [she] will need to be mindful that she won't be creating groups to gather at a time when it is not sensible," Hemming continues. 

The queen has already cancelled all her public events and will be staying at Windsor indefinitely.

Queen Elizabeth, 93, reportedly left Buckingham Palace for Windsor Castle a week earlier than planned, while her husband Prince Philip, 98, was taken to the castle from their Sandringham Estate. 

The couple has been apart from each other since early February, with Elizabeth based in London and Windsor Castle on weekends, and Philip mainly staying in their Norfolk estate. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh have reportedly been using video calls in order to keep in touch with the rest of the family as they practice 'social distancing'.

In her statement, the Queen said "At times like these, I am reminded that our nation has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one, concentrating our combined efforts with a focus on the common goal," 

"We are enormously thankful for the expertise and commitment of our scientists, medical practitioners and emergency and public services, 

"Many of us will need to find new ways of staying in touch with each other and making sure that loved ones are safe. I am certain we are up to that challenge." 

Meanwhile, Hemming has assured that the Buckingham Palace along with the queen's other residences are managed by a team of skilled individuals living within close proximity. 

Royal Children to Stay Indoors

For their part, Prince William and wife Catherine Middleton will make sure that their three children will remain indoors. 

The former Captain in the Army Medical Corps already assured that the young Cambridges will fare well on their own as they can play among themselves. 

"I am sure they have lots of activities and projects planned just as our children do," the former Captain in the Army Medical Corps assured. 

Aside from heeding the advice of staying indoors, Hemming has also urged the royal family to stay hydrated. 

"They should help boost their immune system with vitamin c and zinc and should clean down the surfaces and try to keep things as tidy as possible,"

In the event that anyone in the royal family is unwell, Hemming said they should all go into self-isolation for two weeks and sleep in separate rooms.