The Queen leaves lockdown: Everyone that the monarch, 94, and William meet at Porton Down is tested for Covid so they can shun masks on her first engagement outside a royal residence for seven months
- The 94-year-old monarch was joined by her grandson the Duke of Cambridge at Porton Down laboratory
- The pair spoke to those involved in identifying the nerve agent following the Novichok incident in Salisbury
- Today's engagement is first time Her Majesty has ventured from a royal residence and so-called 'HMS Bubble'
- Heightened safety precautions were taken ahead of the visit to protect the Queen against coronavirus
- All 48 people who were due to come into close contact with the monarch and the duke were tested for Covid
- Her Majesty said rising cases of Covid-19 infections in Britain were 'expected,' adding the virus was 'horrible'
The Queen sought to send a reassuring message to the country as she got back to business without a mask today, carrying out her first public engagement outside of a royal residence since before the coronavirus pandemic gripped the nation.
Her Majesty was joined by Prince William at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) at Porton Down near Salisbury to meet scientists who worked in the aftermath of the 2018 Novichok attack, and are supporting the UK's response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
While meeting experts at the facility, Queen Elizabeth responded to rising coronavirus levels, saying they were 'expected,' before adding the pandemic was 'horrible'.
But while the pair maintained strict social distancing and arrived separately by helicopter and car, neither opted to wear face coverings despite the Queen falling into the 'at risk' age bracket.
The 94-year-old shunned a mask, with Buckingham Palace confirming it was a matter of choice, rather than due to any health reason.
The move has seen by some commentators as a positive and uplifting message as swathes of the UK face being plunged into another lockdown.
Heightened safety precautions were taken to protect the Queen, with all 48 people due to come into close contact with her and William tested for Covid-19 by Dstl beforehand and, while the testing process is still not foolproof, all came back negative.
However, other observers including royal author Omid Scobie and broadcaster Piers Morgan have criticised the monarch's decision not to wear a mask, saying it was a 'worry' and 'not a smart move' respectively. Meanwhile the pressure group Republic said the Queen should have set an example by wearing a face mask.
It is the first time the Queen has ventured from a royal residence in seven months, outside of her household of reduced staff - dubbed HMS Bubble - to carry out her duties as head of state.
Royal author Robert Jobson told MailOnline the Queen chose not to wear a mask in a bid to send a message of calm and hope to the public.
The Queen donned a blush pink coat as she ventured out of her 'HMS Bubble' today, for a trip to the Energetics Analysis Centre at Porton Down science park near Salisbury
The 94-year-old monarch, wearing a Stewart Parvin old rose cashmere coat teamed with a matching hat by Rachel Trevor Morgan, was joined by her grandson the Duke of Cambridge
The Queen and Prince William saw displays of weaponry and tactics used in counter intelligence, a demonstration of a Forensic Explosives Investigation and met staff who were involved in the Salisbury Novichok incident
The Duke of Cambridge presented British Army Colonel Mike Duff, Assistant Commander South West and deputy joint commander for the decontamination of Salisbury following the 2018 Novichok incident, with the Firmin Sword of Peace for the South West department's work on the poisoning
The Duke of Cambridge asked questions about forensics work during the visit this morning
The 94-year-old unveiled a plaque to officially open the new Energetics Analysis Centre at the Defence Science and Technology LaboratoryThe commentator said the royal had taken advice from her doctors who said it was safe to forego a mask, and ensured necessary measures were taken to protect everyone present from the risk of Covid.
Mr Jobson said: 'The Queen ensured there was a Royal safety bubble. She created a secure area where there was no danger to her or anyone else.
'In a message of calm, she is saying you can make it work and things will get back to normal.'
Kensington Palace declined to comment as to whether the duke was also required to have a test in order to be able to accompany his grandmother.
Second in line to the throne William and the Queen, who previously would have been side by side, walked two metres apart as they were greeted by staff.
The Queen has spent lockdown at the Berkshire residence for her safety, but has been busy behind closed doors, carrying out telephone audiences, video calls and dealing with her red boxes of official papers.
During the visit this morning the royal pair were also introduced to staff involved in the rapid response to the Novichok poisoning attack in Salisbury in 2018.
Small groups of those taking part in the royal visit were also arranged two metres apart for social distancing.
The pair arrived separately, with the Queen flying to the site in a helicopter, while the Duke of Cambridge arrived by car.
The choice by British royals not to wear face coverings comes in sharp contrast to the decision made by many of the European monarchs including Queen Letizia and King Felipe, and Queen Mathilde.
The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge have however been seen sporting vibrant face masks during recent outings.
Face coverings are required by law in certain indoor settings such as on public transport, in shops and places of worship.
The Government recommends wearing a face covering in indoor places where social distancing may be difficult and where the public come into contact with those they do not normally meet.
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman told MailOnline specific advice was sought from the Medical household and relevant parties, and all necessary precautions taken, working closely with Dstl.
A spokesman added: 'Specific advice has been sought from the medical household and relevant parties, and all necessary precautions taken, working closely with Dstl.'
But the Salisbury engagement comes amid a resurgence of the virus, as the country battles a second wave and stricter restrictions for some areas.
A memo issued to staff in April from the master of the household Tony Johnstone-Burt, a former Royal Navy Officer called the mission to protect the Queen and Prince Philip 'HMS Bubble'.
The Queen, whose eldest son the Prince of Wales contracted a mild form of coronavirus, delivered two rare televised addresses to the nation just weeks apart during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
She reassured the country that the virus would be overcome, telling those in isolation: 'We will meet again.'
In another speech to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, she told how the message at the end of the war in Europe was 'never give up, never despair'.
The Queen was last at an official public engagement outside of a royal residence when she joined the royal family for the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 9.
In July, she knighted Captain Sir Tom Moore for his fundraising efforts in the grounds of Windsor Castle, where she also watched a mini socially-distanced Trooping the Colour for her official birthday in June.
It was the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's final public appearance before they quit as senior working royals for a new life in the US.
The monarch travelled to Balmoral for her private summer break and then spent a few weeks in Sandringham before returning to Windsor on October 6.
Today, the Queen and William were greeted by Dstl's chief executive Gary Aitkenhead for a tour of the Energetics Enclosure to see displays of weaponry and tactics used in counter-intelligence.
They were also shown the £30 million state-of-the-art Energetics Analysis Centre to meet counter-terrorism staff and see a demonstration of a forensic explosives investigation.
The pair then spoke to those involved in identifying the nerve agent following the Novichok incident, and those who worked on the decontamination clean-up operation.
The Queen was on good form as she quipped while signing the guest book: 'Well it proves we've been here, doesn't it?'
She was dressed in her trademark block colours - a Stewart Parvin old rose cashmere coat and silk dress of autumnal woodland florals with a matching Rachel Trevor Morgan hat - with black gloves and her signature black Launer handbag.
There was also the traditional royal duty - the unveiling of a plaque to officially open the Dstl's new £30 million Energetics Analysis Centre, used by scientists for counter-terrorist work.
Mr Jobson added it was touching to see the Queen with her grandson at her side.
He added: 'She is supported by William as part of a constant transition of the Crown – the future King stepping up is another sign of continuity.'
This comes less than a week after Sophie, Countess of Wessex announced she was self-isolating at home after coming into contact last week with someone who has now tested positive for coronavirus.
The 55-year-old wife of Prince Edward is not experiencing any symptoms of Covid-19 but is said to be following all relevant Government guidelines.
In March Prince Charles had a 'mild' form of coronavirus which first saw him feel unwell in the middle of the month before flying to Birkhall in Aberdeenshire.
The heir-to-the-throne had begun to feel ill on March 21 at his Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire before travelling up to Scotland the following day. His wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall tested negative for the infection and had no symptoms, but still stayed in self-isolation.
Russian intelligence has been accused of being behind the attempted nerve agent assassination of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury.
Dawn Sturgess and her partner Charlie Rowley fell ill in nearby Amesbury months after the attack, and Ms Sturgess later died after coming into contact with a perfume bottle believed to be linked to the case.
Military teams spent 13,000 hours on the clean-up. They took 5,000 test samples from across Salisbury and nearby Amesbury during the 355-day operation.
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