The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge offer their condolences to hospital staff

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have phoned frontline healthcare workers at Queens Hospital Burton, in Staffordshire, to offer their condolences following the death of a senior staff member from COVID-19.

Prince William and Kate rang the hospital following the death of Mr Amged El-Hawrani, an ENT consultant and Associate Clinical Director at the hospital. He succumbed to the virus at the weekend.

During the phone call Prince William reportedly said: "We'd just like to say from the two of us how proud we are of all of you and how amazingly you are all doing under extreme circumstances. I know all of you see this as your job and that you get on with it, but this is a different level and you are doing an incredible job.

"The whole country is proud of you so thank you for everything you're doing and all the hours you are putting in."

The couple then called staff at University Hospital in Monklands.

Donna Marie McGroarty, Infectious Diseases Charge Nurse, said: "We were so honoured to receive a call from Their Royal Highnesses.

"It has been a tough time for all our staff. However the support we have received from colleagues and the community has been overwhelming. The telephone call from The Duke and Duchess was totally unexpected and a real morale boost."

Prince William was the first British royal to publicly address the coronavirus crisis, releasing a video message to launch an appeal with the National Emergencies Trust. In it he said: "Whenever and wherever adversity strikes, the people of the UK have a unique ability to pull together. The way that local communities support those affected shows the very best of our values and human nature."

Before entering isolation with their children at Amner Hall, the couple also visited a 111 emergency centre in south London.