Duke of Edinburgh praises ‘vital’ workers on coronavirus frontline keeping services running in rare public statement
PRINCE Philip, 98, today praised workers on the coronavirus frontline for keeping services running in a rare public statement.
The Queen's husband recognised the work done by NHS staff along with council workers and binmen as the crisis continues across the country.
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In his message, published on the royal family's social media channels, he said: "As we approach World Immunisation Week, I wanted to recognise the vital and urgent work being done by so many to tackle the pandemic; by those in the medical and scientific professions, at universities and research institutions, all united in working to protect us from Covid-19.
"On behalf of those of us who remain safe and at home, I also wanted to thank all key workers who ensure the infrastructure of our life continues; the staff and volunteers working in food production and distribution, those keeping postal and delivery services going, and those ensuring the rubbish continues to be collected."
The message was signed off with "Philip".
The duke is affiliated to more than 750 organisations, including the scientific, technological research, healthcare and infrastructure sectors which have been responding to the outbreak.
It's a rare statement from the royal, who retired from his duties at the age of 96 in 2017 after 65 years of public life.
Philip, who turns 99 in June, is currently at Windsor Castle with the Queen, with the couple isolating there during the crisis.
The duke had been flown to the estate from Sandringham to be with his wife, who will turn 94 tomorrow.
And the bug has hit the Royal Family themselves with Prince Charles, 71, recently recovering after being diagnosed with coronavirus.
The royal family has made a number of rallying cries during the crisis, which has seen more than 16,000 people across the UK die from coronavirus.
In one special broadcast earlier this month, the Queen told the nation "we are all in this together".
Her Majesty said the UK "will succeed" in its fight against Covid-19 in the her message to the British public.
The Queen's televised address to the nation amid the coronavirus pandemic is only the fourth of her 68-year-reign during times of national crisis and grief.
While she broadcasts a recorded message each year on Christmas Day, special addresses from the monarch in troubled periods are rare.
Her Majesty yesterday cancelled her birthday tradition of gun salutes for the first time in 68 years due to the crisis.
A Palace source said: "Her Majesty was keen that no special measures were put in place to allow gun salutes as she did not feel it appropriate in the current circumstances."
They added that all of the changes are "in line with Her Majesty’s wishes."
The announcement comes after Trooping the Colour, normally held in June, was cancelled for the first time in 65 years.
The members of the Royal Family are currently living apart, with the Queen at Windsor while Charles, 71, is in Scotland with wife Camilla.
Prince William and Kate Middleton are at their Norfolk home while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are in LA.
And, William and Kate revealed "stressful" concerns for the Queen and Prince Charles.
William, 38, also spoke of his fears for Charles’s mental health after he came down with coronavirus last month and had to self-isolate.
Wills said: “We are doing everything we can to make sure they are isolated, away and protected. But it does worry me.”
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The Cambridges have been homeschooling their three kids at Anmer Hall, Norfolk, but contacting family online, they said.
In the TV interview, Kate added: “Don’t tell the children, we’ve actually kept it going through the holidays. I feel very mean.”
A source close to Prince Charles said: “He missed being able to get outside and found it all a bit frustrating but he is very happy to be out and about once more.”
Join our George Cross campaign for NHS staff
We are urging Sun readers to sign a petition calling for our NHS staff to be awarded the George Cross.
We are backing a proposal by Lord Ashcroft to honour our health heroes with the gallantry gong given for acts of bravery that did not take place in battle.
A No10 spokesman said: “The NHS is doing a fantastic job and the nation will want to find a way to say thank you when we have defeated this virus.”
SAS hero Andy McNab added: “The award of a George Cross would show an emotional appreciation.”
We are asking our readers to please sign the petition below.
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