William & Kate Celebrate NHS Staff During Norfolk Tea Party

From the very earliest days of the pandemic - before we began to see a rise in infections and very sadly so many fatalities - there was some comfort in the knowledge we were so lucky to have the National Health Service. NHS staff on the front lines set to work immediately, despite the risks and knowing they would spend long hours away from their families, giving each and every patient an excellent standard of care. I remember in April hearing a young doctor on the news: she was exhausted, hungry, emotionally drained and, after losing a patient to the virus that day, could barely take a moment before stepping back into the chaos, knowing she needed to be on top of her game for those in her care. Their selfless dedication has been a beacon of light throughout some very dark days.

We owe them a debt of gratitude we can never repay, but we can certainly try. I was delighted to see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at an afternoon tea party celebrating staff at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, Norfolk today. Given its proximity to Sandringham, the hospital has welcomed several members of the Royal family over the years. In 1998, the Queen Mother was treated there for a fractured hip, and in 2002, the Queen was seen for a knee complaint.

William and Kate drove from Anmer Hall and were photographed using hand-sanitiser upon arrival.

In addition to celebrating seventy-two years of the NHS, the hospital marked its 40th anniversary.

William and Kate spent time with Suzie Vaughan, an operating department practitioner at QEH, who spent nine weeks away from her family during the pandemic.

Suzie's emotional video of her reunion with daughters Bella and Hettie went viral and touched hearts all over the world.

Suzie said: "It was a difficult decision but I wanted to keep the girls safe so they moved in with my sister. I worked on the COVID Intensive Treatment Unit and COVID Emergency Department during the pandemic. The past three months have been exhausting physically and emotionally and The Duke and Duchess’s visit is a recognition of the hard work and compassion that everybody has put in to keep our patients safe."

More on the meeting:

'The duke told Hettie and Bella “I love your dresses”, while the duchess told them: “You girls look really pretty.” Kate asked if they had missed their mum while she was working, and added: “It is a real treat to meet you both.” Ms Vaughan, an operating department practitioner, said: “They both always wanted to meet a real life princess.”

The couple also spoke to Sam Jude, 30, a nurse at the hospital, who came down with coronavirus in May. “I told them the hospital were like my family as my real family were 6,000 miles away in India,” he said. “They checked in on me all the time and I told them that and they were impressed.”

COVID-19 survivors Samuel Jude and Blessy George shared their experiences with the couple.

They spoke with medical director Frankie Swords about the logistical operation underway since March.

Chief Executive Caroline Shaw CBE accompanied the royal couple, describing it as "just an amazing afternoon". Guest Julie tweeted: "They were so lovely, taking their time to speak to some of the guests who were on the front-line during Covid." Hello! reports the couple told staff: "Everyone appreciates what you do. The NHS is a fantastic organisation."

They were also given keyrings for the children. Below, a great video from the party.

Professor Steve Barnett, said: "The past few months have been incredibly challenging for everyone at QEH, and for the wider NHS, as we have responded to this global pandemic. I could not be more proud of how our staff have responded – always putting patients and their safety first. As the nation celebrates the NHS's 72nd birthday and we mark our own hospital’s 40th anniversary, today’s visit by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge is a testament to the high regard we all have for those who care for us when we need it the most. Both our staff and the local community, who have given us so much support over the past few months, should be rightly proud of themselves. We have an incredibly special relationship with our local community in West Norfolk, and today's clap was about saying thank you for the unrivalled support we have received in recent months, for which we could not be more grateful."

The Duke and Duchess departing.

A very brief departure video.

Smiles & waves from Will and Kate as they leave - wow, what an amazing way to end a day of celebration for the #NHSBirthday 💙 Thank you @KensingtonRoyal for the special visit 🙌🏻 @NHSEngland pic.twitter.com/scHbD1Bp7o

— NHS East of England (@NHSEastEngland) July 5, 2020

The Royal Parks prepared a very special thank you.

The Duchess was elegant in Beulah London's Shalini floral-print silk midi dress.

The sold-out piece is described: "Beulah's navy dress is digitally printed with a charming floral pattern that is contrasted with a white point collar and matching cuffs – typically ladylike nuances from the label. It's made in England with a fitted bodice followed by a flared skirt, then cinched at the waist with a coordinating belt."

The digital floral print.

A view of the dress in motion from Beulah London.

Kate accessorised with the striking £2,400 Ocean Tides Milky Quartz Earrings in 18ct Gold by Patrick Mavros. Inspired by colours of the Indian Ocean with "expertly set and polished stones [dangling] elegantly from carefully crafted sea urchins". A word of thanks to the Royal Ladies via Twitter.

Kate completed the look with a pair of navy suede pumps. They look like her Rupert Sanderson Malory suede pumps.

To all of our readers who have served on the front lines, I know I speak for every single one of us when I say a heartfelt thank you.

The clap is in full flow #ThankYouTogether #NHSBirthday #QEH40 #TeamQEH pic.twitter.com/FFmo9naBTY

— The QEH King's Lynn (@TeamQEH) July 5, 2020