Prince Philip issued a rare public statement on Monday to thank the key workers who are on the frontlines fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
“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,” Philip, 98, said in a statement posted to the official royal Instagram.
“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 on food production and distribution, those keeping postal and delivery services going, and those ensuring the rubbish continues to be collected,” he continued.
Fox News reported that though Philip has been retired since 2017, he was so “moved” by how the public has responded to the coronavirus pandemic that he felt the need to say something.
“The duke was moved to send a personal message to everyone who is tackling this pandemic, everyone who has made a decision to help in any way they can,” a palace insider said. “This is a personal message from the duke given these special circumstances.”
Philip is currently quarantined at Windsor Castle with his wife Queen Elizabeth, 93. The COVID-19 pandemic has already hit them close to home as their 71 year-old son Prince Charles tested positive for it last month. Thankfully, he has since made a full recovery, and he remains in quarantine in Scotland at this time.
This comes after Philip’s grandson Prince William opened up to the BBC about his fears for his grandparents, as given their advanced ages, they are both at risk for complications from coronavirus should they test positive.
“Obviously I think very carefully about my grandparents, who are at the age they’re at, and we’re doing everything we can to make sure that they’re isolated away and protecting them,” he said. “But it does worry me. What’s going to happen to the lost and the vulnerable people and the high-risk people who are going to have to potentially isolate away for quite some time and the impact that’s going to have on them and on families up and down the country?”
Please keep Philip and the Queen in your thoughts and prayers as this pandemic continues!
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