Queen Elizabeth sends flowers and note to hospital where Prince Philip underwent heart procedure
Queen Elizabeth has sent flowers and a letter to St Bartholomew's Hospital in London to mark one year since the UK's first coronavirus lockdown.
It's understood Her Majesty chose the hospital after it recently treated her husband Prince Philip, with the Duke of Edinburgh undergoing a successful heart procedure there earlier this month.
In her note, the monarch reflected on "grief and loss" on the National Day of Reflection to remember the 126,000 UK COVID-19 victims.
Flowers and note sent from Queen Elizabeth to staff at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, on the anniversary of the first national lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus. (Photo: March 23, 2021) Dominic Lipinski/PA Images
It's understood Her Majesty chose the hospital after it recently treated her husband Prince Philip for a pre-existing heart condition Buckingham Palace
The Queen said she looked "forward to a brighter future" and thanked frontline workers for their efforts during the pandemic.
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"As we look forward to a brighter future together, today we pause to reflect on the grief and loss that continues to be felt by so many people and families, and pay tribute to the immeasurable service of those who have supported us all over the last year," the note read.
The bouquet was gifted to hospital workers during a ceremony of remembrance, which included one minute silence at midday (11pm Tuesday AEDT).
Chief Executive of St Bartholomew's Hospital Professor Charles Knight receives flowers from Queen Elizabeth II during a ceremony at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London on the anniversary of the first national lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus. (Photo: March 23, 2021) Dominic Lipinski/PA Images
Prince Philip stayed in St Bartholomew's for a week, being transferred to the cardiac specialist facility during his stay at King Edward VII Hospital in Central London, where he was being treated for an undisclosed infection.
Prince Philip spent a month in total in hospital battling the infection and being treated for the pre-existing heart condition, making it his longest ever hospital stay.
The Queen wasn't the only one to mark the anniversary - Prince Charles recorded a special video message.
Prince Charles shares video message on Nation Day of Reflection to mark UK coronavirus lockdown anniversary Twitter/ClarenceHouse
In the clip, recorded on behalf of the Marie Curie Foundation of which he is royal patron, the Prince of Wales urged: "Whatever our faith or philosophy may be, let us take a moment together to remember those who have been lost, to give thanks for their lives, and to acknowledge the inexpressible pain of parting."
While Prince William and Kate Middleton visited a vaccination centre at Westminster Abbey, where they took a moment of private reflection.
Also, Duke of Cambridge lit a candle and the Duchess of Cambridge left daffodils to mark the anniversary.
Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge arrive for a visit to the vaccination centre at Westminster Abbey, London, Tuesday, March 23, 2021 to pay tribute to the efforts of those involved in the Covid-19 vaccine rollout. AP
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