Queen Elizabeth said on Thursday that the royal family would play its part as Britain rises to the challenge of overcoming the coronavirus pandemic, Reuters reports.

“Many of us will need to find new ways of staying in touch with each other and making sure that loved ones are safe. I am certain we are up to that challenge,” the 93-year-old monarch said in a message to the nation. “You can be assured that my family and I stand ready to play our part.”

On Tuesday, the queen announced she had cancelled her annual garden parties and several other events, and would head to Windsor Castle, west of London, on Thursday with her 98-year-old husband Prince Philip for Easter — a week earlier than usual.

Buckingham Palace said the changes were “a sensible precaution”.