Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, has paid a surprise hospital visit to the survivors of last week’s London Bridge terror attack, and the NHS workers who helped save their lives.
The Duchess arrived at King’s College Hospital in Denmark Hill, south London, this afternoon, for a low-key visit which was not publicised in advance so that hospital staff could continue their vital work as normal.
14 of the victims of the London Bridge attack were taken to King’s Hospital for emergency medical care, with seven still receiving round-the-clock treatment.
Kate, who met with staff and patients during the impromptu trip, told NHS workers ‘What you do is remarkable.’
‘To go through this sort of event twice, it is quite unprecedented,’ she added, referring to the March 22nd terrorist attack on Westminster Bridge.
Malcolm Tunnicliff, clinical director of the emergency department, told the Daily Mail: ‘I think the Duchess was really affected by the dedication of the staff and how resilient they are. They are very proud to work for King’s and the NHS.’
‘We prepare for incidents like this 24 hours a day but it’s really nice when someone like the Duchess of Cambridge comes in and sees what we do first hand and says thanks. It gives the patients a lift, it gives the staff a lift that they are being recognised,’ he added.
A royal aide said: ‘Although the story has moved on publicly this is a chance to thank the staff and reassure those still in hospital, many of whom have families with them, that people very much care.’