On his 75th birthday, King Charles engaged in heartwarming conversations with hundreds of NHS nurses at Buckingham Palace during a reception in central London. The event aimed to spotlight the invaluable contributions of nurses and midwives throughout the decades as part of the NHS 75 celebrations. Approximately 400 healthcare professionals, including the newly appointed Health Secretary, Victoria Atkins, were in attendance.
The King made a concerted effort to personally connect with many of the guests, navigating through a crowded ballroom where the atmosphere was marked by jokes and expressions of gratitude towards the nurses for their dedicated work. Notably, Charles received a birthday card from a six-year-old girl, Isabella, who shares her birthday with the monarch. Sandra Stephens, Isabella’s mother, presented the letter, and the King graciously accepted it.
During the festivities, Charles took a moment to practice Swahili with a Kenyan nurse, Bernice Boore, who had engaged in a previous conversation with him. Reflecting on their exchange, Boore expressed excitement that the King remembered their previous discussion about Kenya and noted his apparent familiarity with Swahili.
The event commenced with the King greeting the Health Secretary, Victoria Atkins. Post-interaction, Atkins conveyed her admiration for the monarch’s commitment to acknowledging and celebrating the remarkable efforts of NHS staff. She highlighted the significance of His Majesty expressing appreciation for the healthcare professionals’ unwavering dedication.
The celebration culminated in a surprise performance of “Happy Birthday” by the NHS choir, with the entire ballroom enthusiastically joining in. The event served as a fitting tribute to the King’s 75th birthday, emphasizing gratitude for the essential work of NHS nurses and healthcare professionals.
