Queen opens up about Covid-19 vaccine experience as she urges people to think of others ‘rather than themselves’

The Queen has spoken out about her experience receiving the Covid-19 vaccine as she issues a plea to ‘think of other people'. 

• The 94-year-old monarch has revealed the jab ‘didn’t hurt at all’ during a video call with health officials leading the deployment of the Covid-19 vaccine in the UK.
• Her Majesty urged people - don’t think of ‘just yourself’ during this challenging time.
• In other royal news, Prince Harry reveals royal life was ‘destroying my mental health’ but vows to ‘never walk away’. 

The Queen and Prince Philip both received their first Covid-19 vaccinations at their Berkshire home Windsor Castle where they had been spending lockdown. Whilst some might have considered it unusual for the monarch to reveal such personal information, others have praised her and the Duke of Edinburgh’s openness. One such person is their grandson Prince William, who has previously declared he is  'proud' of the Queen and Prince Philip for sharing news of their covid-19 vaccinations.

The royal couple’s son Prince Charles had the virus himself last year and has spoken candidly about his Covid-19 battle. Whilst it has also been reported that Prince William also had the virus last April. Given their family’s experience with the virus, the Queen and Prince Philip will likely know all too well how important it is to protect yourself and others. 

Now the Queen has spoken out about being vaccinated during a video call with health officials leading the deployment of the Covid-19 vaccine in the UK. During the call, a clip of which was posted on the official Royal Family Instagram account, Her Majesty declared: “Well, once you’ve had the vaccine, you have a feeling of, you know, you’re protected, which is I think very important.”

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She continued: “As far as I can make out it was quite harmless. It was very quick. I’ve had lots of letters from people who’ve been very surprised by how easy it was to get the vaccine.”

“And the jab didn’t hurt at all,” the Queen declared.

The conversation moved on to discuss the hope that many people will take up offers to have the vaccine. The monarch expressed her belief that it is “obviously difficult for people if they've never had a vaccine” adding “but they ought to think of other people rather than themselves.”

According to The Mirror, palace sources said the monarch was “fully aware” of her comments and wanted to “let her feelings known” on the subject.

The Queen’s remarks about the importance of the Covid-19 vaccine come during what has been a challenging time for the monarch. Her husband Prince Philip was admitted to hospital on Tuesday, February 16 as a “precautionary measure” after “feeling unwell”. It’s not thought to be covid related and his admission was not treated as an emergency. It’s since been reported that he is "comfortable and responding to treatment".

It’s not yet been announced when he might leave hospital, though he is likely very much in the Queen’s thoughts as she remains in lockdown at Windsor Castle.