Prince William and Kate Middleton pay respect to UK Covid victims with touching gesture

Prince William and Kate Middleton marked the first anniversary of the UK’s lockdown with a number of touching gestures during their visit to Westminster Abbey this morning. 

• Prince William and Kate Middleton reflected on the first anniversary of the lockdown on a visit to the vaccination clinic at Westminster today. 
• The royal couple met several of the clinic's staff and paid their respects to those who have died in Britain from Covid-19 during the pandemic. 
• In other royal news, Kate Middleton ‘sympathises’ with Prince William’s ‘upset and anger’ in Harry and Meghan interview aftermath.
  

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge returned to the site of their 2011 royal wedding to tour its recently opened Covid-19 vaccination center and offer their respects to the victims of the virus. On arrival, they were greeted by clergy members, before being escorted by cathedral staff around the unlikely clinic. 

The royal couple met with patients and volunteers during the poignant visit, as well as NHS clinicians, who shared with them their experiences of delivering the life-saving shot. Will and Kate appeared good-humored as they connected with the public, even sharing a joke in one interaction. 

At noon, they joined the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr. David Hoyle, for a minute of silence to remember the 126,000 people in Britain who have died from Covid-19. After taking a solemn walk down the very aisle Kate had walked on her wedding day, the couple paid their own individual respects to the victims. 

William solemnly lit a candle at the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor, while Kate laid down a bunch of fresh daffodils. The duchess, who was wearing a cream-colored Catherine Walker coat paired with Jimmy Choo heels, likely chose this particular type of flowers for their association with death and grief. 

The Westminster Abbey vaccination center has been up and running since March 10, vaccinating 1300 people in its first two days. It is currently open two days a week and, with its steady workforce of 30 NHS staff and a dozen volunteers, has the potential to vaccinate up to 800 people a day. 

The Queen also paid her respects to those who have been affected by the virus, sending a bouquet of flowers to St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London today. Her Majesty attached the following moving message to the gift: "As we look forward to a brighter future together, today we pause to reflect on the grief and loss that continues to be felt by so many people and families, and pay tribute to the immeasurable service of those who have supported us all over the last year.”