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Prince William kept positive COVID-19 diagnosis secret in April: reports

Click to play video: 'Prince William, Kate Middleton and their kids clap for health-care workers'
Prince William, Kate Middleton and their kids clap for health-care workers
WATCH: Prince William, Kate Middleton and kids George, Charlotte and Louis joined thousands across the U.K. by showing their appreciation for the health-care workers who are tirelessly working during the COVID-19 pandemic. – Apr 24, 2020

Prince William allegedly tested positive for COVID-19 last April and kept the diagnosis quiet to avoid causing a stir, according to multiple reports from U.K. media.

The Sun, one of England’s largest tabloid newspapers, first reported the story on Monday, citing an unidentified source. BBC News says it has corroborated the report with palace sources of its own.

Kensington Palace has refused to officially comment.

The Sun reports that the prince, 38, was diagnosed in April and kept his diagnosis secret in order to avoid alarming the public. He followed all safety guidelines, received treatment from palace doctors and self-isolated at his home in Anmer Hall, Norfolk, according to the report. He also continued his duties with more than a dozen phone and video engagements during the month of April.

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William is second in line to the throne.

His father, Prince Charles, contracted the coronavirus in March and later recovered.

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Charles, 71, told Sky News that he had a mild case of COVID-19 and “got away with it quite lightly.”

Click to play video: 'Coronavirus outbreak: U.K.’s Prince Charles recovered from COVID-19, calls it distressing time for nation'
Coronavirus outbreak: U.K.’s Prince Charles recovered from COVID-19, calls it distressing time for nation

The report suggests the virus penetrated even further into the Royal Family’s inner circle than previously believed, stoking fresh concern for Queen Elizabeth II, who is 94 years old and in a vulnerable age bracket.

William joined the Queen for an appearance in mid-October. It was the Queen’s first public engagement outside her home since March.

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It’s unclear how Prince William might have contracted the virus, but it reportedly came in the wake of his father’s diagnosis. The reported illness also occurred around the same time that U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson was hospitalized with a more serious case of COVID-19.

Click to play video: 'Coronavirus outbreak: U.K. PM Boris Johnson discharged from hospital'
Coronavirus outbreak: U.K. PM Boris Johnson discharged from hospital

Cases are spiking again in the country and Johnson has ordered a second lockdown.

“Now is the time to take action because there is no alternative,” he said Sunday.

With files from The Associated Press

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