Royal POLL: Should William act as stand-in King to save Queen from coronavirus risks? VOTE
PRINCE WILLIAM has been tipped to act as de facto monarch, stepping in for the Queen and Prince Charles during the coronavirus pandemic - do you think the Duke of Cambridge should temporarily take the reins?
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The Queen and Prince Charles are leading by example by self-isolating and working from home. Last week, the monarch moved to Windsor Castle after London became the British city worst-hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
She was joined there by Prince Philip, who was helicoptered to Berkshire from the five-bedroom cottage in Sandringham where he has been spending the past few months.
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, are also believed to have left their London residence, Clarence House, and moved to Scotland.
Both the monarch and the heir apparent have followed the Government's advice to reduce to bare minimum social gatherings and work from home whenever possible.
The Queen is still receiving the Government's red box on a daily basis and will continue to hold her weekly meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson over the phone.
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On her first day in Windsor, she also issued a heartfelt statement urging Britons to protect the most vulnerable by following the Prime Minister's advice.
Prince Charles has also set up a digital office which will allow him to carry on with his work remotely.
However, one royal expert believes the pair need to be backed-up by another member of the family – one who can attend engagements where necessary and continue to be seen.
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Nigel Hawthorne, author of Call Me Diana, said the Crown needs a "physical presence", and the third-in-line to the throne would be the perfect candidate to temporarily step up to help the monarchy during the pandemic.
Mr Hawthorne told Femail: "It is entirely sensible for Prince William to act as placeholder for the Queen.
"There has to be a physical presence to the monarchy, not just a virtual one.
"He's third-in-line to the throne and in robust health like his brother, and COVID-19 is unlikely to be any serious threat for him or his wife or children. He will do a great job."
Royal commentator Robert Jobson agreed with this analysis, saying it would be a "natural thing to happen" for the Duke, who being young and healthy is less at risk, to fill the Queen and Charles's shoes until the end of the coronavirus pandemic.
Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, already stepped up last week by visiting NHS 111 staff answering members of the public's phone calls.
While in Croydon, south London, William thanked the health service and its emergency staff for "pulling together for the common good" and representing "the very best of our country and society".
Following the visit, which took place on the same day the Queen moved to Windsor Castle, William shared a statement through its social media account, Kensington Royal.
He said: "The last few weeks, and more recent days have been understandably concerning with the continuing spread of coronavirus.
"But it’s at times like this when we realise just how much the NHS represents the very best of our country and society – people from all backgrounds and walks of life with different experiences and skills, pulling together for the common good.
"Not only are NHS staff and emergency workers responding to the needs of the public, they – like the rest of us – are concerned about their families, friends and loved ones. They need our support as much as we need theirs."