The Duchess of Cambridge Isolating After Close Covid Contact

In their roles as joint patrons of NHS Charities Together, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were due to mark the 73rd birthday of the NHS by attending a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral this morning. Instead, Prince William arrived solo because Kate is self-isolating after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19. Though today's engagements were announced for both William and Kate last night, the Duchess was reportedly informed she was a close contact Friday afternoon and has been following advice and guidelines since then.

A Palace spokesperson said:

'Last week The Duchess of Cambridge came into contact with someone who has subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. Her Royal Highness is not experiencing any symptoms, but is following all relevant government guidelines and is self-isolating at home.'

Sky News reports it's likely the Duchess will miss the Wimbledon finals this weekend:

'She was later due to host a tea at Buckingham Palace following the event but she will now have to isolate at home for 10 days.

Kate's last public event was a visit to Wimbledon on Friday when she met staff at the All England Club's museum, Centre Court kitchen and sat with former tennis star Tim Henman to watch Jamie Murray play in the doubles.

The duchess is patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club and a keen tennis fan but is now likely to miss the men's and women's final at the weekend.'

It's very sad news indeed. I know we all hope the Duchess sails through her isolation period without symptoms. Kate had both doses of the vaccine and follows the royal households testing regime and takes lateral flow tests regularly.

(As the event is central to the work of NHS Charities Together and an important day for the NHS, I've opted to cover it.)

Prince William arriving.

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NHS staff who battled the pandemic on the front lines were "at the heart" of the special service of commemoration and thanksgiving. Guests included Dr Ashley Price who treated some of the first patients with COVID-19 and May Parson who administered the first vaccine outside of trial phase. Rheumatology consultant Dr Perpetual Uke, who gave birth to twins whilst in a coma with the virus, participated in the socially distanced event.

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Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, Saïd Professorship of Vaccinology at the Jenner Institute, who designed the Oxford/Astra Zeneca vaccine, was another notable attendee. Those following Wimbledon (as closely as yours truly) will have been moved by the ovation Gilbert was given at Wimbledon last week.

NHS Chief Executive Sir Simon Stevens said, “The NHS’s anniversary follows a uniquely challenging year for the health service and for the country. Twelve months ago, we all hoped the worst of coronavirus was behind us, but instead amazing NHS staff had to contend with a winter wave of infections even greater than the first. They rose to the challenge, not just providing care to coronavirus and other patients but, supported by volunteers and countless others, have also delivered the NHS COVID Vaccine programme with unrivalled speed and precision. This service is an opportunity for the whole country to reflect on the toll the virus has taken since the start of the pandemic and give thanks to the nurses, doctors, therapists, paramedics and countless other NHS staff, other key workers and everyone else including all those members of the public who played their full part."

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An overview of the service.

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The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London, said:

'“In the last year we have felt the loss of connectivity to those we love. We have been forced to distance ourselves physically, unable to reach out to family and friends with whom hugs, a hand reached out in care, an arm around a shoulder, would in other times convey love, closeness, compassion and care.

“The NHS is a demonstration of community and of solidarity in society, between generations, between rich and poor – and between people of diverse cultures and ethnic heritage.

“Through the generations, healthcare professionals from more than 200 nationalities have contributed to its workforce. This solidarity – of generations, of rich and poor and of people from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds, is needed not just for a well-functioning society but to enable all human beings to flourish”.

People from all faiths and none have been invited and will attend, including Imam Yunus Dudhwala, Head of Chaplaincy at Barts Health NHS Trust, and representatives of humanist groups.

July 5 marks the 73rd anniversary of the foundation of the National Health Service. The NHS has provided hospital treatment for around 400,000 seriously ill COVID-19 patients, including 100,000 in January alone, since the start of the pandemic. The NHS COVID-19 Vaccine programme, the biggest in health service history, was launched in the teeth of the coronavirus winter wave.

Since the NHS made history by giving Maggie Keenan the first Pfizer vaccination in December, the programme has delivered more than 63 million jabs, saving 14,000 lives and preventing 44,500 hospital admissions in England.'

St Paul's Cathedral is one of the most famous and recognisable sights of London, with its dome framed by the spires of Wren's City churches, dominating the skyline for 300 years. At 365 feet (111 m) high, it was the tallest building in London from 1710 to 1962, and its dome is also among the highest in the world. In terms of area, St Paul's is the second largest church building in the United Kingdom after Liverpool Cathedral.

Notably for royal fans, Charles and Diana were married there in 1981.

In terms of historical significance, the iconic 'St Paul's Survives' taken during the Blitz in 1940 remains an enduring image from WWII.

It coincides with news Her Majesty has awarded the George Cross to the National Health Service following an unprecedented year when NHS staff across the board went above and beyond, often at great personal sacrifice. A note with "enduring thanks" and "heartfelt appreciation" from the Queen read: "It is with great pleasure, on behalf of a grateful nation, that I award the George Cross to the National Health Services of the United Kingdom. This award recognises all NHS staff, past and present, across all disciplines and all four nations. Over more than seven decades, and especially in recent times, you have supported the people of our country with courage, compassion and dedication, demonstrating the highest standards of public service."

The BBC reports:

'The George Cross, instituted by King George VI in 1940 during the height of the Blitz in World War Two, is awarded for "acts of the greatest heroism or of the most courage in circumstances of extreme danger".

The awarding of the George Cross by the Queen is made on the advice of the George Cross Committee and the prime minister. This latest award is only the third time the George Cross has been given to a collective body, country or organisation, rather than an individual.

Sir Simon Stevens (NHS England chief executive) said the "unprecedented" award recognised the "skill, compassion and fortitude" of NHS staff, who had responded to "the worst pandemic in a century and the greatest challenge this country has faced since World War Two". He added that completing the Covid vaccine rollout - now in its final stages - was "the surest way out of this pandemic" and provided "a sense of hope".'

Buckingham Palace noted, "The most recent recipient of the George Cross is Dominic Troulan, a retired British Army officer and former Royal Marine. Mr Troulan was awarded the George Cross on 16th June 2017 for his actions during the 2013 Westgate shopping mall attack in Nairobi, Kenya." Details of the award presentation will be confirmed in due course.

Afterwards, the Duke welcomed NHS workers, including care staff and respiratory ward nurses, to the gardens of Buckingham Palace for the NHS Big Tea.

More from the BBC:

'Alexandra Heys, nurse ward manager in the respiratory high care unit at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said she felt "honoured" to be meeting the duke and duchess.

"We have all been through a lot, so seeing the public get behind the NHS Big Tea on such as massive scale is an immense boost and really makes a difference," she added.'

The tea was organised by NHS Charities Together, of which the couple became joint patrons in December. The aim of the charity is bringing together the 240 UK NHS charities and harnessing their collective power to the best advantage. Collectively, these charities raise over £1 million per day. This has played a pivotal role in pioneering research, extensive projects and helping patients access care when they need it most. The 'NHS Big Tea' has been described as "an outpouring of love".

With support from retailers and brands, including Morrisons, NHS Big Teas are taking place in schools, community centres and homes all over the country. It's very much a day to come together as communities and families to recognise a year of extraordinary efforts.

 ITV shared quotes from well-known names hailing the tea, such as the inimitable Olivia Colman:

'As ever, I am tremendously grateful for our heroic NHS, but even more so following this very peculiar year.

We are so lucky to have our NHS, and today we will celebrate its 73rd birthday. There is much to celebrate, but also much to be aware of as we try to recover from the past year.

It’s our turn to care for our NHS staff and show them all the love and respect we can, by raising money for the support NHS Charities Together provides.'

More from the Evening Standard:

'England footballer Jordan Henderson who helped put his team through to the Euro 2020 semi-finals, said NHS staff are the “real heroes”.

Henderson, appointed an Official NHS Charities Together Champion in January following his creation of the #PlayersTogether initiative, said: “After the last 16 months, this nation owes so much to the NHS and the least we can do this July is encourage everybody to express their collective gratitude for that selfless support.

“We know as footballers we are often the ones being looked up to, but this is about the real heroes so, from all of us associated with the England football teams, we raise our mugs for the NHS Big Tea with a simple message – thank you.”

Chris Robert, a heart attack survivor, shared why he's joining in today: "Truly, the NHS, I owe them everything."