Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip have received their first dose of vaccine against the new coronavirus, Buckingham Palace announced. A second source told the British news agency PA that the Queen and her husband had been vaccinated by the royal family's doctor at Windsor Castle, where they spend the confinement period. Usually quite discreet about her state of health, "the Queen has decided to make this information public to avoid inaccuracies and possible rumours," added PA.

Queen Elizabeth II has lost her dorgi – a mix between a corgi and a dachshund – Vulcan, leaving her with just one dog. The dog died at Windsor Castle where the Queen has been staying during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sandra Mason, Barbados Governor-General, announced Tuesday the country would move "toward full sovereignty and become a Republic" by November 30, 2021, and will remove Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley stated: "The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind. Barbadians want a Barbadian Head of State. This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving. Hence, Barbados will take the next logical step toward full sovereignty and become a Republic by the time we celebrate our 55th Anniversary of Independence."

Captain Tom Moore, the British WWII veteran who raised £32 million for health care workers by walking laps in his garden, has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth on Friday. In the Queen's first official engagement in person since the Covid-19 lockdown, she praised the 100-year-old veteran and thanked him for the donation he had raised.

Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, celebrates his 99th birthday on June 10.

Both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have been self-isolating in Windsor Castle where they will also be celebrating Prince Philip's birthday in private.