Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, joint Royal Patrons of NHS Charities Together, hosted NHS staff at a unique drive-in cinema yesterday evening (May 26) to honour their vital work throughout the pandemic.
Guests attending the special screening of Disney’s Cruella at the Palace of Holyroodhouse came from across the NHS workforce in Scotland, and were nominated by NHS Charities Together’s member charities and their associated Health Boards in recognition of their incredible efforts throughout the pandemic.
The Duchess also delivered a speech paying tribute to NHS staff across Scotland and thanked them for their dedication, commitment and personal sacrifice.
Ellie Orton, CEO of NHS Charities Together, also attended and said ahead of the event:
“This special screening of Disney’s Cruella is such a wonderful gesture by our Royal Patrons The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. It will be a huge boost and thank you to those staff who have done everything they can to keep us safe and well over the last year. We’re delighted to be part of this once in a lifetime memory for some of the amazing NHS staff in Scotland – it is because of their efforts that we are even in a position to enjoy events like this one.”
The Duke and Duchess arrived in a 1966 2A Land Rover which belonged to The Duke of Edinburgh. Loaned to them for the evening by Her Majesty The Queen, it was parked alongside NHS staff in the forecourt of the Palace of Holyroodhouse to meet a number of guests ahead of the screening.
Earlier this week, The Duke and Duchess spoke to two stars of the film, Emma Thompson and Emma Stone, via video call to discuss the inspirational work done by NHS staff across the country and how important it is to thank them, as well as what it was like to film in parts of London and the incredible costumes featured in it.
Pre-show screening
During a pre-show screening NHS Charities Together was delighted to share a special film version of Rag’n’Bone Man and P!nk’s performance of ‘Anywhere Away from Here’ at the BRIT Awards to show the incredible journey traveled by NHS staff and the British public during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the support provided by the charity to NHS staff and patients. Watch the film below.
