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The Royal Family have joined forces in paying tribute to healthcare workers across the world on International Nurses’ Day.
In a video clip released on the Kensington Royal Instagram page today, the Queen could, 94, could be heard speaking with Professor Kathleen McCourt, the President of the Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation and Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing, of which The Queen is Patron.
The royal called it ‘a rather important day’, saying: ‘Obviously nurses have had a very important part to play recently.’
The short audio clip of the Queen on the phone to Professor McCourt was followed by members of the royal family including Prince Charles, 71, Camilla, 72, Prince William, 37, and Princess Anne, 61, offering their thanks to nurses across the world .
Kate Middleton, 38, and the Countess of Wessex, 55, joined together to speak to nurses in seven different commonwealth countries, including Australia, India, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Bahamas, Cyprus and the UK.
While speaking with nurses in Cyprus and hearing one of their ex-partners was a school teacher, Sophie joked she would be ‘recruited’ for Kate’s homeschooling efforts, while the Duchess added: ‘I would remove like her to come and help me with homeschooling . ‘
Members of the royal family have paid tribute to the work of healthcare professionals around the world as they celebrate International Nurses’ Day
The Queen, 94, joined the royal family’s tributes to those in the nursing profession today, with an audio clip of a phone call with Professor Kathleen McCourt, the President of the Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation and Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing, of which The Queen is Patron, released today
Prince Charles, who is currently isolating in Birkhall, Aberdeenshire, having recently recovered from coronavirus, provided a message for the video thanking nurses across the world.
He said: ‘My family and I want to join in the chorus of thankyous to nurses and midwifery staff in this country and all over the country and all over the world.’
Meanwhile Camilla recorded messages of support for nurses from the Royal Naval Medical Service and Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children Charity, of which she is respectively Commodore-in-Chief and Patron.
She called nurses ‘extraordinary’, saying: ‘Extraordinary times call for extraordinary people.’
The Duchess of Cornwall provided a video with messages of support for nurses around the world, calling healthcare workers ‘extraordinary people’
Camilla added: ‘Thankyou, from the bottom of my heart.’
Yesterday, The Duchess of Cambridge and The Countess of Wessex spoke to nurses via video call in seven different commonwealth countries.
The calls were facilitated by Nursing Now, a global campaign to improve health by raising the status and profile of nursing of which The Duchess is Patron.
Kate swept her hair into a relaxed half-updo, adding a touch of glamor with a set of drop earrings.
The royal opted for a stunning midi-dress by French designer Joseph Altuzarra which she first wore in 2016 as she made the video call.
Meanwhile Sophie selected a forest green blouse and a set of gold hoop earrings as she joined Kate on the virtual visit.
Meanwhile the Countess of Wessex and Kate Middleton joined together to phone hospitals in seven different countries around the world
Among the phone calls was a video chat with Army nurses in Cyprus, in which Kate and Sophie joking about the challenges of home-schooling her children Prince George, six, and Princess Charlotte, five.
Kate asked how families were doing with the lockdown, with one nurse telling her: ‘Fine ma’aam, my ex-wife is a school teacher so she’s keeping them busy.’
Sophie and Kate appeared to share a smile, with Sophie adding: ‘Oh be careful, she’s about to be recruited.’
Kate said: ‘I would quite like her to come and help me.’
The royals also dialed into a call with nurses in Queensland, Australia who provide culturally appropriate services to local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Princess Anne called it ‘a pleasure’ to speak to nurses in the Bahamas as she gave her thanks to healthcare workers
They also spoke to nurses at the Aberdeen Women’s Center in Sierra Leone and LV Prasad Eye Institute in India – both of which The Countess of Wessex has previously visited.
Kate and Sophie also spoke with the Apollo Hospital in India and mental health nurses in the Bahamas.
During the phonecall with HIV and maternal health nurses in Malawi, Sophie inquired whether ‘the sunflowers are out.’
and when she was told that they were, she could barely contain her joy, saying: ‘What a beautiful sight! It’s the most marvellous thing. ‘
They went on to speak with paediatric nurses from the UK’s Evelina London Children’s Hospital and Community Services, of which The Duchess of Cambridge is Patron.
And last week Prince William talked to nurses at The Royal Marsden, of which he is President.
Meanwhile Princess Alexandra spoke with the head of the Naval Nursing Services
Meanwhile, over the weekend, Princess Anne called Tanzania to speak with the Program Manager of a medical ship that provides facilities for those with little or no access to medical care.
The ship is being supported by the Vine Trust of which the Princess royal is Patron.
Princess Alexandra spoke with the head of the Naval Nursing Service in her role as Patron of Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service (QARNNS).
On the calls, Members of The Royal Family spoke with nurses about the work they are doing, with many talking about the impact of Covid-19 and how they were coping with the pandemic.
Among the hospitals phoned by Kate and Sophie was the Aberdeen Women’s Clinic in Sierra Leone, which the Countess visiting in January of this year
The touching tribute comes as it was revealed that at least 150 NHS and healthcare workers have lost their lives to the virus.
International Nurses Day takes place annually on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, 12 May, to highlight the vital work done by health staff each day.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth and was set to see monumental celebrations take place, as the historic figure is noted as being key in shaping modern nursing.
The public is being asked to shine a light at 8.30pm on Tuesday in tribute to nurses on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. Pictured: An engraving of Florence done during her lifetime
However, due to the pandemic the public has been asked to highlight the occasion by shining a light from their windows at 8.30pm on International Nurses Day.
The tribute to nurses is especially symbolic as Florence Nightingale is famously known as The Lady with the Lamp.
An image of Florence Nightingale is also set to be projected on St Thomas’s Hospital where she worked, to commemorate the anniversary.
