The Queen joins Royal tribute to thank nurses around the world
MEMBERS OF the Royal Family have called nurses around the world to mark International Nurses Day and to thank the healthcare profession as they deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
The Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Princess Royal, the Countess of Wessex and Princess Alexandra all played their part in the unprecedented number of global Royal phone calls, messages and video chats.
They paid tribute to nurses’ “incredible work”.
Kate and Sophie joined forces to speak to nurses as far afield as India, Australia, Malawi, Cyprus, the Bahamas and Sierra Leone, as well as in the UK.
In a montage of the calls, messages and videos released on social media, Kate said: “I don’t know how you manage to do this
PRINCE CHARLES: and keep the show on the road despite the extra pressures you’re all under and the challenging conditions – it’s just shown how vital the role that nurses play across the world.
“You should be so proud of the work that you do.”
She said it was “amazing” that the nurses were still able to continue their support and care during the pandemic.
Sophie told some of the nurses: “I hope you’re feeling some of the love as well.”
The Queen rang Professor Kathleen McCourt, president of the Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation and Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing of which the head of state is patron, from Windsor Castle where the monarch has been staying in lockdown.
In audio of her telephone conversation, the Queen could be heard saying: “This is rather an important day ... because obviously they’ve had very important part to play recently.”
The Palace said it believed it could be the first time the audio of part of a call by the Queen had been released.
Prince Charles, in an excerpt from his video message to all nurses, said: “On this International Nurses’ Day, my family and I want to join in the chorus of thank-yous to nursing and midwifery staff.”