Coronavirus UK: Sophie, Countess of Wessex is self-isolating at home

Sophie, Countess of Wessex was today self-isolating at home after coming into contact earlier this 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.

Sophie is not thought to have seen any members of the wider Royal Family since she met the unnamed person who has subsequently tested positive. 

On Sunday, she was one of 45,000 people across Britain who were running, jogging and walking their own version of the London Marathon in torrential rain.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex runs for 1½ miles along the Long Walk in Windsor on Sunday

She gamely donned her exercise gear to join Tomas Cardillo-Zallo, a member of Mencap’s Learning Disability Running team, for the first 1½ miles of his virtual race.

Sophie has been patron of the charity since 2004 and said she decided to join the 29-year-old, from Sutton in Surrey, as a show of support for Mencap and its work to change attitudes towards those with learning disabilities.

She ran that distance to reflect the fact that 1.5million people in the UK live with a learning disability – facing challenges on a daily basis and often requiring support with everyday tasks.

Sophie joined Mr Cardillo-Zallo – one of 312 people running in support of Mencap – on the Long Walk in Windsor Great Park, for the first section of his 26-mile route.

She said on Sunday: ‘It was an honour to join Tomas even just for a small part of his triumph today, as he completes the London Marathon in support of Mencap.

‘Tomas has shown what people with a learning disability can achieve with the right support. He is an inspiration.’

Prince Charles caught coronavirus in March but later recovered from a mild form of the illness following self-isolation at his Scottish residence of Birkhall. 

More to follow