Richard E. Grant has spoken of the stunned reaction he received when he wore gloves to greet Prince Charles at an event early on in the pandemic.
The Withnail And I actor, 64, attended the Prince's Trust And TK Maxx & Homesense Awards at London Palladium on March 11, where he joined a host of stars, including Ant and Dec and Michaela Coel, in meeting the Prince.
At the event, he opted to wear black protective gloves after he spoke to a doctor at an NYC event weeks before, who told him to protect himself from the virus with protective wear such as face coverings and latex gloves.
Speaking to Radio Times, Richard revealed that while meeting Prince Charles, who contracted the virus shortly after, a fellow guest queried: 'What the hell are you doing?' in a nod to his 'vigilant' early reaction to the virus.
Careful: Richard E. Grant has spoken of the stunned reaction he received when he wore gloves to greet Prince Charles at an event early on in the pandemic (pictured at the event)
On COVID, Richard explained: 'I’ve been vigilant about it. I’m not a hypochondriac, by any means, I’ve just been careful. Another (New York party) guest, who was in the medical profession, said, "Get face masks and gloves."
'So I got a whole box and when I came back to England wore them wherever I went.'
He went on to detail how his last public appearance involved the line-up to meet Prince Charles, where he put on his protective wear. He revealed: 'Someone said, "What the hell are you doing?" But I didn’t want to catch it.'
He was pictured on the red carpet holding his hands up to show the gloves, while also greeting Michaela on-stage with his elbow so as not to touch hands.
Protection: At the event, he opted to wear black protective gloves after he spoke to a doctor at an NYC event weeks before, who told him to protect himself from the virus with protective wear such as face coverings and latex gloves (pictured on the red carpet)
Careful: He was pictured on the red carpet holding his hands up to show the gloves, while also greeting Michaela on-stage with his elbow so as not to touch hands
The Prince of Wales, 72, tested positive for Covid-19 later in March and revealed he experienced 'relatively mild symptoms' while battling the virus.
In June last year, he opened up about his brush with the deadly infection saying: 'I was lucky in my case and got away with it quite lightly. But I've had it, and I can so understand what other people have gone through.'
He added: 'I feel particularly for those who have lost their loved ones and have been unable to be with them at the time. That to me is the most ghastly thing.'
Speaking out: Speaking to Radio Times , Richard revealed that while meeting Prince Charles, who contracted the virus shortly after, a fellow guest queried: 'What the hell are you doing?' in a nod to his 'vigilant' early
