The Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla, paid tribute to hard working volunteers and NHS staff during a visit to a coronavirus vaccination hub in Thornton Heath.

The Duchess spoke with volunteers and staff at the hub at St Paul's Church, thanking them for their hard work in keeping people safe.

The church in St Paul's Road has been transformed into a vaccination hub after it was temporarily closed for worship earlier this year.

During her visit, Camilla said of Prince Philip, her 99-year-old father-in-law, “We keep our fingers crossed.”

 

Philip, the nation’s longest-serving consort, has spent 15 nights in hospital – his longest ever stay.

He is undergoing testing for a pre-existing heart condition and treatment for an infection after being moved by ambulance to St Bartholomew’s Hospital in the City of London on Monday.

 

The hospital move heightened concerns for the duke, who will turn 100 in June.

Buckingham Palace said on Monday that the duke was comfortable, adding “doctors will continue to treat him for an infection, as well as undertake testing and observation for a pre-existing heart condition”.

The Duchess of Cornwall talks to Dr Shaikh (right) during a visit to the Community Vaccination Centre at St Pauls Church

The Duchess of Cornwall talks to Dr Shaikh (right) during a visit to the Community Vaccination Centre at St Paul's Church