Britain's Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, talk with a staff member during a visit to the London Ambulance Service 111 control room, to meet ambulance staff and 111 call handlers who have been taking NHS 111 calls from the public, and thank them for the vital work they are doing, in Croydon, Britain March 19, 2020. Picture taken March 19, 2020. (Photo: Kensington Palace/Handout via REUTERS)
Prince William and Kate Middleton are working from home and can't visit public places because of the coronavirus pandemic. This hasn't stop them from making a few necessary phone calls, though, and they did so last April 1 by calling some nurses and doctors who are working at the frontlines of this health crisis.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge phoned the Queen's Hospital Burton to speak with the staff. They told them, through a speakerphone, that they are very proud of what the medical workers are doing under extreme circumstances.
Prince William also relayed to the doctors and nurses that the whole country is proud of the frontliners. He thanked the healthcare workers for "for everything you're doing and all the hours you are putting in."
The Cambridges actually made this first call to the Queen's Hospital Burton to express their condolences as one of their surgeons passed away due to COVID-19. Amged el-Hawrani, 55, died over the weekend and was considered a huge loss to the medical community in Staffordshire. Many hospitals spent a minute of silence to honor his passing.
Prince William and Kate also called up the staff at the University Hospital Monklands. Kate remarked to the healthcare workers that they have the hardest job. She said that doctors and nurses are "stretched in all sorts of ways" as they look after coronavirus patients and save the critical ones. However, she also hopes that they are getting all the support they need.
Donna Marie McGroarty, who works as a nurse, could not believe that they were speaking with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The call was so unexpected and a complete morale booster.
Alice Bloxham, who works at the hospital's elderly ward, said that talking to the Cambridges was a pleasure and they also told the royals of the challenges they face in the frontlines. Bloxham told Prince William and Kate that they have been treating COVID-19 patients as well as elderly patients. The doctors and nurses also said that they appreciated the gesture of Prince William and Kate very much.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are currently staying in Anmer Hall in Norfolk where they have been touching base with many healthcare workers and their other charities. Prior to leaving for Norfolk, Prince William and Kate dropped by the NHS Call Cetre to see how the emergency workers are doing.
