Prince Albert II
(MONTE CARLO, Monaco) — The palace of Monaco says its ruler, Prince Albert II, has tested positive for the coronavirus, but his health “is not worrying at all,” according to the statement.
“His Serene Highness urges the people of Monaco to respect the measures of confinement and to limit contact with others to a minimum. Only the strict observance of these confinement measures will make it possible to stop the spread of the coronavirus.”
Princes Albert, 62, appeared to be the first head of state who has publicly said he contracted the virus.
In a statement Thursday, the palace said he is being treated by doctors from the Princess Grace Hospital, named after his U.S. actress mother. It says Albert is continuing to work from his home office in the palace and is in constant contact with members of his government.
The prince is Monaco’s head of state, and one of the world’s wealthiest royals. He was formally invested as the country’s leader in 2005.
Karl von Habsburg, the Archduke of Austria, was the first known royal to test positive for coronavirus. The 59-year-old head of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine called into Austrian TV channel oe24, revealing he experienced flu-like symptoms more than a week ago.
Karl von Habsburg, Archduke of Austria
“It’s annoying, but I’m fine. It’s not the Black Plague. I thought it was the usual flu. When a friend called me that he had a positive test at a congress in Switzerland, I was also tested,” von Habsburg said.