Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, has tested positive for the new coronavirus, COVID-19, his office said on Wednesday.

The 71-year-old is showing mild symptoms of the virus and is self-isolating at a royal estate in Scotland, his Clarence House office said. It added that his wife Camilla, 72, has tested negative.

Clarence House said the prince "otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual."

The tests were carried out by the National Health Service in Scotland.

"It is not possible to ascertain from whom the prince caught the virus, owing to the high number of engagements he carried out in his public role during recent weeks."

Buckingham Palace said Queen Elizabeth II remains at her home in Windsor.

Charles, last saw his mother, the 93-year-old monarch, on the morning of 12 March – before the earliest time he would have been infectious. A royal source cited by Reuters said the earliest Charles would have been infectious was 13 March.

"Her Majesty the Queen remains in good health," the palace said. "The Queen last saw the Prince of Wales briefly after the investiture on the morning of 12 March and is following all the appropriate advice with regard to her welfare."

Since the the prince's last public engagement on 12 March, he has had several private meetings and participants at those sessions have been made aware of his condition.