Prince William and Kate Middleton Thank First Responders in New Video
Tuesday marks Australia's inaugural Thank a First Responder Day, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are doing their part to mark the occasion.
In a new video, recorded in their Norfolk country home, the royal couple give their heartfelt thanks to the workers who not only braved the country's recent spate of devastating wildfires, but are now serving their communities amid the COVID-19 crisis.
"Earlier this year, we witnessed thousands of firefighters, supported by the wider first responder community, as they worked tirelessly, risking their own lives, to protect Australian communities from the devastating wildfires," Prince William says as the short video (above) begins. "The world was watching your efforts, and we were deeply moved by what we saw."
Kate continues, "Sadly, you are now on the frontline of yet another emergency. The COVID-19 outbreak has brought first responders across Australia together again. Day in, day out, paramedics, police, firefighters and support staff work tirelessly to keep everybody safe, often risking not only their physical health, but also their mental wellbeing."
Later, the Duchess adds that Australia's first responders "all deserve our huge thanks," before the Duke concludes, "You should be immensely proud of everything you do, and we send our best wishes to you all and to your families."
Will himself has experience as a first responder, having spent years as a search and rescue helicopter pilot. He's continued to stay in touch with that community: recently, due to the pandemic, the Duke cleared air ambulances to land and refuel on a private lawn at Kensington Palace, usually reserved for the Windsors' own helicopter flights.
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