Kate and William mark Canada Day with video call to healthcare workers

Prince William and Kate Middleton made a very special video call to mark Canada Day.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spoke to staff at Fraser Health's Surrey Memorial Hospital in British Columbia to give their thanks for their work during the coronavirus outbreak.

The royal couple, speaking from their home office at Anmer Hall, also thanked staff for their hard work and dedication during the height of the crisis.

"I just wanted to just touch base and say how proud we are of all of you and everyone on the front line who have led the way, very stoically, very bravely, and put patient care right at the top of the list," Prince William said.

"You've done a fantastic job."

While the Duchess told them: "It's an amazing role that you're playing and a hugely tough one as well. We're in huge admiration of everything you're doing."

The couple even promised to visit in person when lockdowns are over.

"So, well done to all of you and I hope Catherine and I can come and visit you guys one day and say that to you in person," William said.

Canada holds special memories for the couple.

They had their first overseas Royal Tour there as newlyweds in June 2011, two months after they married at Westminster Abbey.

The 11-day tour also included a couple of days in California, USA before flying home.

Gushing, as newlyweds do, Kate said of her new husband during the tour: "I'm very, very lucky. He looks after me as much as possible".

The pair also chose Canada for their first Royal Tour as a family of four, taking Prince George and Princess Charlotte along on the eight-day trip in September, 2016.