Coronavirus: Prince Albert of Monaco leaves isolation after recovering from COVID-19

Prince Albert, the first head of state to be diagnosed with coronavirus, has ended his period of self-isolation and has recovered.

The monarch, who rules Monaco, was diagnosed on 19 March and was being treated at Princess Grace Hospital.

After two weeks of self-isolation, he was discharged on doctors’ recommendation.

He told People Magazine: “Things are okay. I still have a little bit of a cough, but that’s pretty normal, having spoken to a number of other people the cough goes on for a little bit. Otherwise all lights are green.

“I received the clear from doctors on Monday morning. But they said, ‘Don’t see your family right away. Wait another 24 hours.’”

Read more: Prince Albert 'didn't shake' Charles's hand as royals fight COVID-19

The 62-year-old said he would return to the family’s country retreat, where his wife and children are currently staying.

He confirmed he would be able to be far enough away from the rest of his family members for the final stint before their reunion.

A statement from the prince’s palace, reported by Hello, said: “Doctors who have followed Prince Albert II since the start of his COVID-19 infection today allow him to end his quarantine period.

“The sovereign prince is declared cured and in good health.

“He will soon join his family and continue to observe the period of confinement while remaining in close contact with his government.

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“His Highness once again reminds the people of Monaco of the importance of scrupulously respecting confinement measures and limiting contact with others. Rigorous compliance with these rules will help stop the spread of coronavirus.”

Prince Albert’s treatment and isolation period is different to Prince Charles, who self-isolated for seven days after his COVID-19 test came back positive.

He was diagnosed on 24 March and came out of self-isolation on Monday, having been alone for seven days.

However his wife Camilla is still in self-isolation. She tested negative for coronavirus on the same day.

Current NHS advice states that those who come down with symptoms should self-isolate for seven days.

Read more: Why did Prince Charles get tested for COVID-19?

Those who live in close proximity to people with symptoms, meanwhile, are urged to self-isolate for 14 days.

Labour MP and emergency doctor Rosena Allin-Khan has expressed concern over the current UK guidelines for dealing with coronavirus.

Dr Allin-Khan, who is a senior accident and emergency registrar at St George’s in Tooting, says World Health Organization guidelines state those with coronavirus should self-isolate for 14 days, and that they can still be contagious after symptoms stop.

Prince Charles and Prince Albert were at the same event in London at the beginning of March, and Albert was revealed to have been diagnosed with COVID-19 before Charles fell ill.

But Albert said the British heir to the throne could not have been infected by him, because they did not shake hands.