The Prince of Wales has paid tribute to all those helping in the fight against the spread of coronavirus and urged everyone to try and look to the future and find hope. Prince Charles spoke just a day after leaving self isolation following his own diagnosis with Covid-19.
The address, which was recorded and shared on social media, saw the prince put a special emphasis on the impact of the virus and limitation measures including social distancing on older people. He was speaking in his role as patron of Age UK and said his words came from the Duchess of Cornwall, too, in her capacity as patron of The Silver Line, another organisation supporting older people.
The Prince of Wales referred to the state of isolation people find themselves in now following government advice to stay indoors ans save lives. The prince said ”as we are all learning, this is a strange, frustrating and often distressing experience when the presence of family and friends is no longer possible and the normal structures of life are suddenly removed”.
Charles continued ”At such an unprecented and anxious time in all our lives, my wife and I are particularly thinking of all those who have lost their loved ones in such very difficult and abnormal circumstances and of those having to endure sickness, isolation and loneliness.”
He also made reference to his own illness, describing his symptoms as ”relatively mild”. But he put his main focus on thanking and praising all those fighting the spread of Covid-19 and looking after people. Charles said ”our thoughts and prayers are with those marvellous people whose extraoridinary skills and utter, selfless devotion to duty and the care of their patients make us so very proud”.
And the prince urged extra support for all those involved in the fight against coronavirus, saying they needed to be able to buy food and supplies easily when coming off duty. There were special words of praise, too, for those working in shops with the heir to the throne describing them as a ”further emergency service on which we are all relying”.
The Prince of Wales ended his speech looking to the future, saying ”none of us can say when this will end, but end it will. Until it does, let us try and live with hope and, with faith in ourselves and each other, look forward to better times to come”.
You can see the full speech here.
