The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have thanked “awe-inspiring” NHS workers for putting themselves at risk throughout the pandemic.
In a Christmas message to health service staff across the country who are delivering the vaccine booster, William and Kate, praised health service workers for their “unending compassion” despite “hardship, exhaustion, long hours, and emotional toll” after “yet another immensely challenging year”.
In an open letter in their role as joint patrons of NHS Charities Together, the Cambridges said: “From frontline nurses, doctors, and porters to those behind the scenes; you have carried on despite the hardship, despite exhaustion and long hours, and despite the emotional toll that this pandemic has exacted.
“You have cared for incredibly sick patients and their families, in circumstances made all the more challenging by this virus and your unending compassion has meant so much in the darkest moments.
“And you have done it all by putting yourselves at risk and sacrificing time with your own friends and loved ones,” their letter adds.
“And now, as we approach Christmas, you are stepping up once more with the vaccine booster campaign.
"We know we speak for the entire nation when we say thank you.”
NHS Charities Together is a network of more than 230 health charities.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge became its joint patrons in December 2020 added: “We are so pleased to see just how much the public continue to support the NHS across the United Kingdom.
“While words on paper are only a small gesture, we wanted to express our enormous thanks on behalf of a grateful nation.
“None of us will forget what everyday heroes in the NHS do each day to keep us safe.”
