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Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth IICredit:AP

It is rare for private medical matters to be made public by Buckingham Palace,but the announcement was not without precedent.

In 1957,the Queen let it be known that Prince Charles and Princess Anne had been given the polio vaccine,to counter public fears. Aides had insisted that questions on whether the Queen had been given the jab were off limits.

The Queen and the Duke were eligible for the first wave of vaccinations due to being in the second priority group,for those aged 80 and older,which follows care home -residents and staff.

It is not known whether they had the Pfizer or Oxford AstraZeneca jab. A Buckingham Palace spokesman simply confirmed:"The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh have today received COVID-19 vaccinations."

Downing Street is understood to have hoped the couple would go public,giving a royal seal of approval. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said:"I'm delighted that Her Majesty the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh have received their COVID vaccine. We are defeating this virus jab by jab."

The Prince of Wales,who has had coronavirus,has previously confirmed he would have a vaccine,but added that he was"way down"the priority list and already has antibodies.

As a healthy 72-year-old,he is behind care home residents and their carers,over-80s,healthcare workers,over-75s and clinically vulnerable over-70s.

Prince William has also had the virus,but is ineligible for early vaccination because he is under 50.

The Queen and the Duke have been isolating at Windsor Castle and did not see other members of the royal family over Christmas.

The Telegraph,London