Prince Philip issues rare statement to thank workers battling Covid-19 hours after Harry, Meghan ditch UK press
In a rare public statement, Prince Philip has sent a very heartwarming message to key workers helping across the UK to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. His message came just hours after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they were cutting off ties with four major UK tabloids.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who retired from public duties in 2017 and has rarely been seen in public after he was hospitalized in December 2019, said he wanted to recognize the "vital and urgent" medical and scientific work happening to fight the novel coronavirus.
In his statement published on the royal family's social media channels, Philip said: “As we approach World Immunisation Week, I wanted to recognize the vital and urgent work being done by so many to tackle the pandemic; by those in the medical and scientific professions, at universities and research institutions, all united in working to protect us from COVID-19.”
“On behalf of those of us who remain safe and at home, I also wanted to thank all key workers who ensure the infrastructure of our life continues; the staff and volunteers working in food production and distribution, those keeping postal and delivery services going, and those ensuring the rubbish continues to be collected,” he added.
Currently, the duke is staying at Windsor Castle with the Queen as they practice social distancing amid the global public health crisis. Philip as a member of the royal family is affiliated to more than 750 organizations, including ones in the scientific, technological research, healthcare, and infrastructure sectors that have been working tirelessly amid the outbreak.
The 98-year-old’s heartfelt message has been praised as royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline: “The country will have been inspired by the Duke of Edinburgh’s message to those fighting coronavirus in the front line and to other key workers.”
The message from the senior-most member of the royal family came just hours after Harry and Meghan 'cut off' ties with four major UK tabloids. In a letter sent to the editors of the Mail, The Sun, The Express, and The Mirror, the Sussexes said they will no longer "offer themselves up as currency for an economy of clickbait and distortion."
“There will be no corroboration and zero engagement,” the couple, who stepped down from senior royal duties in late March, added. They blamed intense and unfair media scrutiny as one of the reasons for their decision.
However, their move has been highly criticized. Calling the decision ‘strange’, Fitzwilliams said: “Harry’s ill-judged comment that the situation regarding the deadly pathogen in Britain is ''better than we are led to believe through certain corners of the media' is strange and not only because of its timing, as the Sussexes cut all links with the British tabloids.”
Ian Murray, executive director of the Society of Editors, said the decision taken by the pair was “sadly a clear attempt to undermine certain sections of the UK media who often ask uncomfortable questions”.
The Queen’s former press spokesmen Dickie Arbiter called Harry and Meghan’s decision ‘wrong’, and also labeled the younger son of late lady Diana and Prince Charles as "not the brightest bunny on the planet".
“I really want to know who is advising them because they are wrong... unless they are doing it themselves. Not only this, but Harry was also wrong over the weekend...16,000 (deaths) in the UK is bad. So how he can even suggest it isn't as bad as what is being said about it is wrong.
“But then again, he is not the brightest bunny on the planet,” Arbiter stated, pointing towards the 35-year-old’s statement where he said the coronavirus crisis is not as bad in the UK as being reported by the media.
Tom Bower, Prince Charle’s biographer, insisted that Harry and the former ‘Suit’ star “have become their own worst enemies. "They clearly cannot stand being irrelevant and ignored. In the midst of a horrendous global crisis causing so much misery all they can think about is themselves. Constantly they push their obsession about their image and their financial income into the spotlight, and then outrageously harangue the public with their problems. Meghan, just understand: No one cares!” Bower added.