QUEEN Elizabeth II has lauded the Filipino nurses employed by Britain’s National Health Service, saying: “They bring exceptional care and comfort to their patients.”
In her message to President Duterte on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Britain, the Queen said: “I wanted to express my sincerest gratitude for their work, especially in response to the coronavirus.”
The 95-year-old monarch added in her message, coursed through British Ambassador Daniel Pruce, “I am delighted to convey to Your Excellency my best wishes to the people of the Philippines,” concluding her message by saying, “I hope we may look forward to better times in the future.”
Last month, Prince Charles expressed his admiration for Filipino medical frontliners in the UK, calling them “wonderfully selfless people” in a message to celebrate this year’s 75 anniversary of the UK-Philippines diplomatic ties.
He lauded the Filipino caregivers for their dedication in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prince Charles letter said the pandemic “provided the foundation for us to work towards a better future,” as thousands of Filipino medical workers worked at the frontlines of the UK’s National Health Service.
“To these wonderfully selfless people I wanted to offer my most heartfelt gratitude for the outstanding care and comfort you give to your patients. You have made a truly remarkable contribution to the health and well-being of so many people across the country at such a difficult time,” said the heir to the British throne.
He also extolled the “remarkable contribution” of Pinoy medical frontliners through the challenges of the pandemic.
The UK has supported the Philippines’s coronavirus response, particularly by ensuring equitable distribution of vaccines in the Philippines.
The UK has committed funds for vaccine-sharing facility Covax, where the Philippines is among recipients.
The Royal Family, aside from their heartwarming message had also bestowed special honors on some Filipinos.
On January 2 during the New Year honors, Queen Elizabeth II bestowed Filipino nurse Charito Romano with a British Empire Medal for her outstanding work at Arbrook House Care Home in the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The British Empire Medal is awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown.
Recipients are entitled to use the post-nominal letters “BEM” and it is divided into civil and military medals in a similar way to the Order of the British Empire itself.
Romano’s medal was given for her “hands on” service to the local community. This could be a long-term charitable or voluntary activity, or innovative work of a relatively short duration that has made a significant difference.