Prince William and Duchess Kate Visit Emergency Call Center During Coronavirus Spread

Credit: Kensington Palace/Shutterstock

Prince William and Duchess Kate Visit Emergency Call Center During Coronavirus Spread

Reaching out. Prince William and Duchess Kate did their part to stay informed about the coronavirus pandemic by going to an emergency call center in London. “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the London Ambulance Centre in Croydon to meet staff who have been taking NHS 111 calls from the public, and thank them for the vital work they are doing,” the official Kensington Palace Twitter account wrote on Friday, March 20. William, 37, also released a statement following his trip to the facility with Kate, 38. “Catherine and I were proud to visit staff working at NHS 111, to pass on our personal thanks, along with those of my grandmother [Queen Elizabeth II] and father [Prince Charles], to staff working around the clock to provide care and advice to those that need it most,” he said. “The last few weeks, and more recent days have been understandably concerning with the continuing spread of coronavirus. But it’s at times like this when we realise just how much the NHS represents the very best of our country and society.” [jwplayer 4GFqiBsP] The couple talked with staffers, including the chief executive of the London Ambulance Service, about the increased demand for their work. Call centers in Croydon and Barking have received five times the usual rate of calls due to the pandemic. Earlier this week, the queen, 93, guaranteed the U.K. that her family will assist in recovery efforts surrounding the illness. “Many of us will need to find new ways of staying in touch with each other and making sure that loved ones are safe. I am certain we are up to that challenge,” she said in a Thursday, March 19, statement. “You can be assured that my family and I stand ready to play our part.” William and Kate have been directly affected by the virus, with Prince George, 6, and Princess Charlotte, 4, making the shift to home-schooling amid the outbreak. The royal duo, who tied the knot in April 2011, are also parents of son Prince Louis, 22 months. The Duke of Cambridge was the first senior royal to speak out about the pandemic. “Whenever and wherever adversity strikes, the people of the UK have a unique ability to pull together,” he said on the Kensington Palace Instagram account on Wednesday, March 18. “The way that local communities support those affected shows the very best of our values and human nature.” Scroll to see more photos from William and Kate’s call center visit.

Credit: Kensington Palace/Shutterstock

Prince William and Duchess Kate Visit Emergency Call Center During Coronavirus Spread

Reaching out. Prince William and Duchess Kate did their part to stay informed about the coronavirus pandemic by going to an emergency call center in London. “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the London Ambulance Centre in Croydon to meet staff who have been taking NHS 111 calls from the public, and thank them for the vital work they are doing,” the official Kensington Palace Twitter account wrote on Friday, March 20. William, 37, also released a statement following his trip to the facility with Kate, 38. “Catherine and I were proud to visit staff working at NHS 111, to pass on our personal thanks, along with those of my grandmother [Queen Elizabeth II] and father [Prince Charles], to staff working around the clock to provide care and advice to those that need it most,” he said. “The last few weeks, and more recent days have been understandably concerning with the continuing spread of coronavirus. But it’s at times like this when we realise just how much the NHS represents the very best of our country and society.” [jwplayer 4GFqiBsP] The couple talked with staffers, including the chief executive of the London Ambulance Service, about the increased demand for their work. Call centers in Croydon and Barking have received five times the usual rate of calls due to the pandemic. Earlier this week, the queen, 93, guaranteed the U.K. that her family will assist in recovery efforts surrounding the illness. “Many of us will need to find new ways of staying in touch with each other and making sure that loved ones are safe. I am certain we are up to that challenge,” she said in a Thursday, March 19, statement. “You can be assured that my family and I stand ready to play our part.” William and Kate have been directly affected by the virus, with Prince George, 6, and Princess Charlotte, 4, making the shift to home-schooling amid the outbreak. The royal duo, who tied the knot in April 2011, are also parents of son Prince Louis, 22 months. The Duke of Cambridge was the first senior royal to speak out about the pandemic. “Whenever and wherever adversity strikes, the people of the UK have a unique ability to pull together,” he said on the Kensington Palace Instagram account on Wednesday, March 18. “The way that local communities support those affected shows the very best of our values and human nature.” Scroll to see more photos from William and Kate’s call center visit.

Credit: Kensington Palace/Shutterstock

Taking It Seriously

The pair listened to employees at the call center to learn about their response to the pandemic.

Credit: Kensington Palace/Shutterstock

Influx

The London Ambulance Service has received nearly 8,000 calls per day due to the outbreak.

Credit: Kensington Palace/Shutterstock

Adjustments

The royal family has changed their schedules and living arrangements since the illness spread globally.

Credit: Kensington Palace/Shutterstock

Show of Support

“The public’s desire to help in the wake of tragedy needs to be managed and channelled in the best possible way – which is why the establishment of the National Emergencies Trust was so important,” William noted on Wednesday. “The NET has launched an appeal to raise funds to help local charities support individuals suffering hardship as a result of the #coronavirus outbreak.”

Credit: Kensington Palace/Shutterstock

Changing Minds

The prince joked earlier this month that he and Kate were “spreading coronavirus” while on a royal tour in Ireland.

Given the constantly evolving nature of COVID-19, Us Weekly wants our readers to have access to the most accurate resources. For the most up-to-date coronavirus information, guidance and support, consult the CDC, WHO and information from local public health officials. If you’re experiencing coronavirus symptoms, call your primary care provider for medical advice.