THE DUKE and Duchess of Cambridge have paid tribute to the brave carers and nurses who gave their lives to fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
Prince William, 37 and Kate Middleton, 38, shared a sentimental message on the Kensington Palace Twitter account ahead of International Nurses Day.
The Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge clapping for carers with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis
Kensington Palace tweeted a message of respect and support for our nurses and carers
The royals shared a simple illustration of a shining white candle with a blue background, captioned: “On Monday 11th May, the eve of International Nurses Day, we remember all those who have lost their lives to #COVID19 while in service.
‘Their outstanding work and dedication to those in their care will never be forgotten. #RememberHealthHeroes @NursingNow2020 @WHO”
Some of the 203 medics who have lost their lives to coronavirus
The message was well-received by their 1.9 million followers with comments praising the work of nurses and appreciating the royal recognition of their service and sharing stories of lost loved ones.
Kensington Palace has been sharing words of encouragement throughout the crisis.
The touching post on social media comes as it was revealed that over 200 NHS and healthcare workers have now lost their lives to the virus.
Those who lost their lives in the line of service include Onyenachi Obasi who is remembered as a “dedicated and loving” worker who “gave her life” doing what she loved after she passed on Saturday.
Mary Agyapong, was only 28 when she died five days after an emergency c-section to save her baby. She is described as “a fantastic nurse and a great example” having “devoted her life to the NHS”.
Maria Victoria Prado, a care home nurse in Kent, died in the arms of her 12-year-old daughter Alex, after her asthma became aggravated from the deadly virus.
Father-of-four Augustine Agyei-Mensah, a nurse in Northants., “transformed lives” with his work before he died.
Gran Rachel Makombe Chikanda, 67, is another lost hero who went back to frontline having retired from nursing two years ago, but died in London.
Carol Challoner, a children’s social worker and gran, died in Liverpool after a “strong and courageous” fight.
International Nurses Day takes place annually on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birthday, May 12, to highlight the vital work done by nurses and carers every day.
This year marks the 200th anniversary and was set to see large celebrations take place to celebrate the vital role nurses play in our society.
The public has now been asked to highlight the occasion by shining a light from their windows at 8.30pm on International Nurses Day as a tribute to Nightingale’s legacy as The Lady with the Lamp.
An image of Florence Nightingale will also be projected onto St Thomas’s Hospital where she worked.
Florence Nightingale is the founder of modern nursing
