Queen Elizabeth, in marking the COVID lockdown anniversary in the United Kingdom, has joined others to pay tribute to the victims of the coronavirus pandemic.
The monarch in her COVID lockdown anniversary message, said: ‘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.’
According to reports, she marked the COVID lockdown anniversary by sending flowers to St Bartholomew’s, the London hospital where the Duke of Edinburgh had heart surgery. A bouquet of irises, tulips, mixed narcissi and ranunculus arrived from Windsor Castle alongside the poignant message.
The floral gift was handed to the hospital’s chief executive, consultant cardiologist Professor Charles Knight. It comes as the nation held a minute’s silence at midday in remembrance of the more than 100,000 people who have been killed by the deadly virus across the UK.
It comes after prime minister Boris Johnson announced the first lockdown on March 23, 2020, which has seen various restrictions imposed across the country since to try and contain the spread of the disease.
Pictures from across the country showed NHS and social care workers, MPs and peers in both Houses of Parliament, and ministers in the devolved nations pausing for reflection.
The London Eye, Tate Britain, Blackpool Tower, the Scottish Parliament, Belfast City Hall and other buildings will be lit in yellow tonight to mark the occasion.
People are also being urged to stand on their doorsteps at 8pm with a candle or a light. The Office for National Statistics has officially recorded 149,117 deaths where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
Prime minister Boris Johnson offered his ‘sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones’ ahead of the minute’s silence. He said: ‘Today, the anniversary of the first lockdown, is an opportunity to reflect on the past year – one of the most difficult in our country’s history. ‘We should also remember the great spirit shown by our nation over this past year.
‘We have all played our part, whether it’s working on the front line as a nurse or carer, working on vaccine development and supply, helping to get that jab into arms, home schooling your children, or just by staying at home to prevent the spread of the virus.’