The Prince of Wales has made history as he became the first member of The Royal Family to conduct a virtual opening via videolink.
Prince Charles officially opened the new NHS Nightingale Hospital in London on Friday morning despite being over 500 miles away.
His Royal Highness praised the “unbelievable feat of work” that went in to creating the new 4,000-bed hospital which was built in just nine days.
Speaking at the opening from his home in Birkhall, the 71-year-old heir said: “It is without doubt a spectacular and almost unbelievable feat of work in every sense – from its speed of construction as we’ve heard to its size and the skills of those who have created it.
“An example, if ever one was needed of how the impossible can be made possible and how we can achieve the unthinkable through human will and ingenuity.”
“In this dark time, this place will be a shining light.” – HRH The Prince of Wales
The Prince also reflected on his own experiences of COVID-19 after recently being isolated with the illness
He said “I was one of the lucky ones to have had Covid-19 relatively mildly.
“But for some, it will be a much harder journey.
“I am therefore so relieved that everyone can now have the reassurance that they will get all the necessary technical care that they may need and every chance to return to a normal life.
“This hospital therefore offers us an intensely practical message of hope for those who will need it most at this time of national suffering.”