As I write this in early May 2020, the world is going through an unprecedented health crisis due to the Coronavirus epidemic. Who the biggest heroes of this crisis are could not be clearer - they are the first and foremost the brave and dedicated men and women of our medical services across the world, and in the UK those of the NHS. Then there are the many other key workers - supermarket staff, logistics workers, police, armed forces, waste disposal and so many others. All heroes.
But even among those of us who are not on the "front line" of response to the crisis, there are people who have gone out of their way to help, who have shown kindness and compassion, who have rallied others behind their message of strength and hope. Among those people are the Duchess of York and her family, including Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and Jack Brooksbank.
The doctors, nurses and support staff of our hospitals are working around the clock, risking their lives to save others, and the York family's most important practical contribution has been to work tirelessly to ensure they are supported with whatever can keep them going or cheer them up. This has included fruit & veg, chocolate, vitamin drinks, hand cream, toiletries, sanitising wipes, and many more items. The Duchess has used her contacts with businesspeople to persuade so many different companies to donate items. Over the last few weeks she has not stopped, determined to support health care workers any and every way she can.
Even more impressive is that on several occasions she, Eugenie and Jack actually delivered these packages in person to London hospitals, with Sarah driving and her daughter and son-in-law delivering the products. According to some media reports, Princess Beatrice may also have been involved. Significantly, this was all done with a minimum of fuss, with no posts on social media. In no way whatsoever was this a "publicity stunt", but genuine determination to help.
And just imagine the impact of morale and encouragement that these hospital staff must have felt to see a Princess arrive out of the blue to deliver supplies to them! More than ever at these times, we become aware of the powerful role that Royalty can fullfil in society - leading by example and encouraging others to be their best selves. This was the message we all took from Her Majesty the Queen's beautiful speech on 5th April, and these deliveries in support of medical staff was a perfect example of the kindness, compassion and unity that she evoked to the nation and Commonwealth.
Overall, the hospitals who have received supplies courtesy of the Yorks include Hammersmith, Buckinghamshire NHS Trust, Chelsea and Westminster, Imperial College NHS trust, Upton Hospital in Slough, Morriston in Swansea, Lochaber in Scotland and others, with some institutions in London being honoured by a "personal delivery" from at least one Princess, possibly two!
Additionally, Princess Eugenie used her Instagram platform (on which she reaches half a million followers) to publicize the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital's crowdfunding appeal to raise exceptional funds for fighting the virus. Eugenie has been a steadfast supporter of the RNOH ever since she was operated there for her scoliosis at the age of 12, and she has been a Royal Patron of the hospital for many years.
The Duchess too has used her social media platforms to make another important contribution. Alongside her tireless efforts on behalf of frontline health workers, she has found the time to raise the spirits of her followers. At a time when people are locked in quarantine, worried about their loved ones, and suffering from constant anxiety, she has provided much needed messages of strength, encouragement and, above all, hope! She has been a guiding light to her 400,000 twitter and Instagram followers.
As well as highlighting the contributions of essential workers and all the heroes of this crisis (see below), she has been posting inspiring messages and beautiful photos.
For example, on 28 March she posted: "Hold with golden hearted strength and keep focussed on small steps to victory. To reach the summit, it takes mini steps, through many valleys, perseverance and patience and you will get there. The light would not be so bright without the shadow", alongside a galloping white horse and a snow-covered mountain. This perfectly reflects the best way (in my view) of getting this - to take it one day at a time, without losing sight of the final goal, the top of the mountain.
There have been several messages like this - each one transmits positive messages: strength, patience, love, hope, the regenerative power of nature... For me, at least, these inspiring words of wisdoms have calmed my anxieties and filled my heart with a calm sense of hope.
My favourite post so far has been this one from 4th April, which was posted next to two stunning photos of the evening light playing among the trees of the Royal Lodge garden (see photo below). Sarah's message reads: "Nature will show us the way forward, the shadow highlights the light. An horizon is just the limits of our sights, we will trust and we will stand with courage and support in deep gratitude, for brighter horizons".
Not long ago, I wrote an appreciation of some of the Duchess' poetry, and this message almost seems to have the feel of a poem. Each word is carefully chosen to create an effect of overall beauty, and images are evoked to inspire an emotional idea. The shadow of the epidemic shows us the light of... well, perhaps human kindness, love, unity. And behond the horizon is the world that we moving towards, the world of hope and recovered normality, which we can't see, but we must trust that it's there, this "brighter horizon".
I find these words and the ideas behind them incredibly touching and beautiful, and they inspire me to get through this. As for the Duchess herself - she was inspired, as we all were, by the words of Her Majesty's address, which she said "touched my core and inspired us to never give up".
Over the past few weeks, I have been reminded time and time again just why I so admire the Duchess of York, her daughters and family. As their fan, I feel proud and grateful to have such strong role models in my life, now more than ever.
I can't finish this article without considering the many families who are deeply concerned for the health of their loved ones. At this time, Mr. George Brooksbank, the father of Princess Eugenie's husband Jack, is battling this awful disease. I would like to finish by offering my heartfelt prayers for his full recovery, and my empathy for the Brooksbank and York families. At the same time, my thoughts and prayers are with all the families in the same situation, and all those fighting this illness, including of course the Prime Minister. And wishing all of you, my readers and friends, good health for you and yours. Let's finish with another of Sarah's pictures, which she labelled "New buds, new hope, new courage"!
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