Coronavirus: Spanish Princess becomes first royal to die from COVID-19
What's the story
The coronavirus outbreak has now claimed the life of a royal. Spanish Princess Maria Teresa of Bourbon-Parma has become the first royal to have died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) The Princess, aged 86, passed away on March 26 in Paris. She was a cousin of Spain's King Felipe VI, who has tested negative for the novel coronavirus. Here are more details.
Details
Princess' brother confirmed news on Facebook
Prince Sixto Enrique de Bourbon, the Duke of Aranjuez, confirmed the Princess' demise on Facebook. Prince Sixto Enrique is the brother of Princess Maria Teresa. The Prince wrote, "On this afternoon... our sister Maria Teresa de Borbon Parma and Borbon Busset, a victim of the coronavirus COVID-19, died in Paris at the age of 86." Her funeral was held in Madrid on Friday.
Facebook Post
You can view the post here
History
Princess Maria: Complutense University Professor and women's rights activist
Born on July 28, 1933, Princess Maria Teresa was educated in France and went on to become a professor at Paris' Sorbonne. She was also a professor of Sociology at Madrid's Complutense University. The Princess was known for being outspoken and was nicknamed the "Red Princess." She was also an advocate of women's rights and socialist ideas.
Other royals
Earlier, British heir Prince Charles tested positive
Earlier this week, Prince Charles (71), heir to the British throne tested positive for COVID-19. The Prince is said to be displaying only mild symptoms of the viral disease and "otherwise remains in good health." Separately, Monaco's Prince Albert (62) has also tested positive for COVID-19. Spain's King Felipe IV and his wife, Queen Letizia, have both tested negative for the disease.
COVID-19
Globally, coronavirus infected 6.6 lakh, killed over 30,000
COVID-19 was first reported in China's Wuhan in December. It's caused by a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. The virus triggers symptoms such as fever and cough. In severe cases, it may cause pneumonia, multiple organ failure, or death. COVID-19 has spread to roughly 170 countries, killing over 30,000 and sickening 6.6 lakh. In Spain, the disease has killed nearly 6,000 and sickened over 70,000.