The British royal family has taken to Instagram to speak out about the coronavirus and to offer guidance and hope to their followers on the platform. After canceling her public engagements, the Queen issued an official statement that reads:
“A MESSAGE FROM HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
As Philip and I arrive at Windsor today, we know that many individuals and families across the United Kingdom, and around the world, are entering a period of great concern and uncertainty.
We are all being advised to change our normal routines and regular patterns of life for the greater good of the communities we live in and, in particular, to protect the most vulnerable within them.
At times such as these, I am reminded that our nation’s history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one, concentrating our combined efforts with a focus on the common goal."
The Queen's statement continues below:
“We are enormously thankful for the expertise and commitment of our scientists, medical practitioners and emergency and public services; but now more than any time in our recent past, we all have a vitally important part to play as individuals – today and in the coming days, weeks and months.”
“Many of us will need to find new ways of staying in touch with each other and making sure that loved ones are safe. I am certain we are up to that challenge.
You can be assured that my family and I stand ready to play our part.
ELIZABETH R"
The Queen's message comes on the heels of a video that Prince William released yesterday. He announced that the National Emergencies Trust will be assisting citizens in the UK during the crisis, and also offered a written statement:
“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."
“The public’s desire to help in the wake of tragedy needs to be managed and channelled in the best possible way – which is why the establishment of the National Emergencies Trust was so important.
The NET has launched an appeal to raise funds to help local charities support individuals suffering hardship as a result of the coronavirus outbreak."
The National Emergencies Trust (NET) is still pretty new. It was put into place following the Manchester bombings of 2019 and exists to "raise and distribute money and support victims at the time of a domestic disaster." William said that he had "dreaded" the day that the NET would be needed.
But despite that dread, he is happy that the NET exists: "Now, more than ever, I am grateful that the National Emergencies Trust exists. It will ensure that support reaches those across the U.K. who need it most, as quickly and efficiently as possible. And it will help to ensure that all our efforts to overcome this challenge are channeled in the best possible way."
This update from William comes days after the prince made fun of the coronavirus while at a public appearance. He told first responder Joe Mooney that "I bet everyone’s like ‘I’ve got coronavirus, I’m dying,’ and you’re like, ‘No, you’ve just got a cough'" while he was at the Guinness Storehouse on March 3.
He also asked Joe Mooney if he felt that the crisis had been "a little bit hyped up" and added, "By the way, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are spreading coronavirus, sorry. We’re keeping an eye on that, so do tell us if we need to stop."
In other royal news, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shared that they are heeding government guidelines surrounding the virus amid reposts that Harry may have been exposed to the virus while in the UK. They also offered a message to their followers and wrote, "We will be sharing information and resources to help all of us navigate the uncertainty: from posting accurate information and facts from trusted experts, to learning about measures we can take to keep ourselves and our families healthy, to working with organisations that can support our mental and emotional well-being."
