Royal couple thank hospital workers during special visit
THE Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall made an unannounced visit to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital this week and met staff who have been battling against coronavirus to save lives.
In their first royal engagement with the public since the outbreak began they spoke to those working on the front line.
With lockdown restrictions being eased, the royal family have chosen this week to take a step towards a return to normality – with a series of face-to-face public engagements.
Charles and Camilla met the workers in the grounds of the hospital in Gloucester on Tuesday, with everyone following social distancing guidelines and standing two metres apart.
They were accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Edward Gillespie, and the chief executive of the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Deborah Lee.
Ms Lee said: “We were honoured to welcome their Royal Highnesses to our hospital today.
“It’s been an incredibly uplifting occasion for all of my colleagues and one that we will remember for a long time to come.
“Whether it’s clinical colleagues or support staff, volunteers, local businesses or schools, the response to the pandemic by the whole community here in Gloucestershire has been quite incredible.”
The couple addressed a range of health and social care professionals, including clinicians, social workers, domestic staff, volunteers and other front-line colleagues, and thanked them for their dedication during the pandemic.
Kerry Holden, lead nurse for infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship, added: “Today’s visit was very humbling. For us we’ve just continued to do our job and look after patients in the best way we possibly can.
“I’m not entirely sure it’s dawned on us yet just how much appreciation there is for us.
“It’s when you receive a visit from Their Royal Highnesses that you realise just how much impact we’ve made.
“This is a very special day and one which I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
It came as the Princess Royal was due to visit the nearby Duke of Gloucester Barracks to see military personnel being tested for Covid-19 before heading overseas.
Their visit to Gloucester followed the appearance by the Queen on Saturday at a mini Trooping the Colour ceremony at Windsor Castle – the first time
any member of the royal family had attended a national event since lockdown.
Charles and Camilla have spent almost three months at Birkhall in Scotland, where the prince recovered from Covid-19 after contracting the virus in March, suffering with mild symptoms.
The South West has seen the lowest number of Covid-19 cases of all the English regions, but within the South West, Gloucestershire has had the highest number, a Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said.
The Prince of Wales has revealed he lost his sense of smell and taste when he caught the virus.
After Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall met staff from a number of areas at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, he said: “It’s been a marvellous opportunity just to have a chance of seeing people I know have been doing so much – literally on the front line.
“And having to endure an awful lot of stress and strain in their wonderful way – how they do it I don’t know. But delivering everything in the most effective way.”
The prince spoke to Jeff Mills, 47, a healthcare assistant from Cheltenham General Hospital, about contracting Covid-19 in March after developing mild symptoms.
Mr Mills said: “He did speak of his personal experience, so first-hand experience for him.
“He also spoke about his loss of smell and taste, and sort of still felt he’s still got it now.”