Prince Charles delivers uplifting message for hospital opening in Wales

Prince Charles has emerged from coronavirus quarantine and surged forward on his mission to combat the spread of the virus, opening a new hospital in Wales.

The longest-serving Prince of Wales paid tribute to healthcare workers across the country, thanking them for their "ultimate sacrifice" on the frontlines of containing COVID-19 in a heartfelt video message.

The royal, who recently contracted and recovered from the virus himself, opened Ysbyty Calon Y Ddraig - translated to Dragon's Heart - Hospital, an emergency field hospital, set up in a sports stadium in Wales' largest city of Cardiff.

Unable to attend the official opening of the hospital amid the country's strict lockdown laws, the 71-year-old royal expressed his gratitude in the video post, offering his "warmest possible thanks for what you have done and all that you will do in this hospital."

The video, posted to the Clarence House's official Twitter featured Charles' Welsh language skills.

"A facility named, so evocatively and so appropriately, Calon y Ddraig," the future king announced.

"What can I say except 'diolch o galon," he said, meaning "heartfelt thanks".

The Prince signed off the video with a roaring sentiment, "Llongyfarchiadau ichi i gyd," meaning, "Congratulations to you all."

Charles, who is currently isolating in Scotland, took a moment to reflect on the fatal implications the virus has had on healthcare workers.

"Such commitment, of course, has come at a price," he said, thanking NHS staff for making "the ultimate sacrifice in caring for others, giving their lives in the service of their fellow men and women, without thought of reward, and without regard for self."

He added: "Today, we honour their memory, and can resolve, in words long used to commemorate those who fell in other conflicts: 'ay haberth nid â heibio' – their sacrifice shall not be forgotten."

The temporary facility will provide an additional 2000 beds to help Wales tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

Built on Wales' national stadium, Charles marvelled at what he called "one of the most remarkable transformations that have been achieved" amid the pandemic.

Likening the stadium to a "national shrine", the Prince described it as "an achievement of which we are all immensely proud."

In addition to providing mobile x-ray facilities, CT scanners and an on-site pharmacy for hospital patients, the adjacent Cardiff Blues Stadium will host a facility for staff choosing to self-isolate away from their family and loved ones to avoid putting them at risk of contracting the virus.

Since recovering from the novel coronavirus, Prince Charles has been active in supporting healthcare workers across the country, opening the first temporary hospital in East London.

Pop up hospitals have been built with rapid-fire speed across the country to combat the swelling number of confirmed cases.

There are currently 124,743 cases of coronavirus in the United Kingdom.