Lockdown 'Is the Only Slight Rest' the Queen Has 'Had in Her Whole Life,' Says Source

Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Queen Elizabeth

After decades of royal duty, Queen Elizabeth's schedule has slowed amid lockdown.

The coronavirus pandemic has provided an unexpected reprieve for the 94-year-old monarch, an insider tells PEOPLE in one of this week's cover stories.

"In her twilight years, I'm sure it is quite lovely not to have the pressure" of a full calendar of public events, says the insider.

"It is possible this is the only slight rest she's ever had in her whole life," adds a source close to the Queen. "She is well. She's in good fettle."

Queen Elizabeth has spent most of past year isolating at Windsor Castle with her husband, Prince Philip, 99. It's a welcomed change for the couple of 73 years — ever since his retirement from royal duties in 2017, Prince Philip usually lives at Wood Farm near Sandringham while the Queen continues her work primarily in London. As they isolate, the couple have dinner together each night.

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Steve Parsons/Press Association via Getty Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip

Despite being largely out of the public eye, Queen Elizabeth has continued her royal duties, giving inspiring speeches (in April to address the COVID-19 crisis and again for her annual Christmas broadcast) and adapting to new methods of connecting like Zoom calls.

Perhaps most influential, both the Queen and Prince Philip received their coronavirus vaccines at Windsor Castle in January.

The couple "were on the front foot," says the source close to the Queen. "She has led by being an example to others."

Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Queen Elizabeth

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Throughout the pandemic, Queen Elizabeth has also taken advantage of the time to ride her beloved Fell ponies.

"She goes into a peaceful mode when she is with horses," says her close friend and equine adviser Monty Roberts.