On Sunday Britain’s National Health Service celebrated its 72nd birthday, and with NHS workers continuing to serve as front line heroes during the coronavirus pandemic, the royal family ensured this birthday celebration was a big one.
The Queen gave her blessing for Windsor Castle to be lit up in blue, while William and Kate (both dressed in blue) spent Sunday visiting the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Queen’s Lynn, near their home in Norfolk. Meanwhile Prince Charles recorded a video message of thanks to mark the occasion.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson also led the country in one final “clap for the NHS” and met the medical staff who saved his life when he was admitted to intensive care with the virus in April.
As Britons celebrated the lifting of lockdown restrictions, flocking to pubs and restaurants over the weekend, the royals led a nationwide tribute to thank front line workers. In a personal two minute video filmed at Clarence House, Charles thanked everyone who kept the country running throughout the Covid pandemic, particularly doctors and nurses around the country who he said had been a “shield” for the nation during the most testing time of its seven-decade history. The Prince of Wales also celebrated the “renewal of our community spirit”, dubbing Britain’s “good sense and good humour” as the silver lining during these “dark times”.
“The current pandemic means that the NHS—and the entire country—has been through the most testing time in the service’s history,” he said. “Our remarkably selfless nurses, doctors, paramedics and countless other staff have made costly sacrifices to provide treatment for more than a hundred thousand patients with coronavirus and thousands more who needed other care. And, in tribute to them, we have come together as a nation to thank them for their skill, professionalism and dedication.”
Charles was diagnosed with Covid in March but made a speedy recovery. During the lockdown he made several addresses to the nation in support of the NHS and during key moments, including the anniversary of VE Day. Like the rest of the country Charles has worked from his desk at home, though also with the assistance of a small staff. He reached out to the public using video messages published on the Clarence House Twitter handle, which has seen a surge of followers during the lockdown.
Until the pandemic Charles had only released one video message on social media—a short speech to the people of Australia during the bush fires which devastated much of the country earlier this year. But he has been a natural in front of the camera. “It has proved to be a very effective way of highlighting issues that have become relevant and speaking to the nation in a way that is not scripted but is from the heart,” says an aide. From packing supplies and delivering essentials to those in need, to allowing themselves to be filmed in the privacy of their homes, the royals have been highly visible during the lockdown, seemingly taking inspiration from the Queen’s mantra “I need to be seen to be believed.”
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