Coronavirus crisis puts the Queen's Garden Parties on hold

Buckingham Palace has confirmed a number of event and housing changes that will be made for Queen Elizabeth II as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The Palace said in a statement today that the Queen's meeting this week with Prime Minister Boris Johnson will go ahead as planned, but future audiences "will be reviewed on an ongoing basis".

READ MORE: Full coverage and latest information and updates about the COVID-19 pandemic

A tweet from the official Palace account explained all changes are simply "a sensible precaution".

The Queen will also move on Thursday from the Palace to Windsor Castle a week earlier than expected for the Easter period.

The announcement also confirmed the cancellation of public events featuring the Queen, including the annual Maundy Service on April 9 and three garden parties scheduled to be held at Buckingham Palace in May.

The Queen's Garden Parties, held for more than 30,000 guests each year in the grounds of Buckingham Palace in London, or the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, are a way for the monarch to thank people for the positive impact they make in their communities.

According to the Palace, those already invited to the May parties will be asked to attend in 2021.

"Two additional Garden Parties given for the Not Forgotten Association and the National Trust will also not take place," the Palace added in the statement.

Decisions around several other events, including Trooping the Colour, are still to be confirmed, pending government advice on further developments around the pandemic.

You can find more information about the international coronavirus outbreak from the World Health Organisation and health.gov.au.