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The NHS has thanked the British public for an “emotional” display as the nation took part in a mass round of applause for health workers on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis.
The health service’s official Twitter page carried the message “that was emotional” along with a blue heart following the incredible scenes all across the UK on Thursday night.
Up and down the country, members of the public put their hands together for the salute to NHS staff and others who have been battling the Covid-19 pandemic.
The country was led by the children of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who were filmed smiling and clapping along as they took part in the initiative.
A video posted on the Kensingtonroyal Instagram account showed Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis clapping to thank all those healthcare staff “working tirelessly” to help those affected by Covid-19.
Political figures such as Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn also joined in the applause, which was carried out at 8pm.
Tom, 42, a consultant anaesthetist, heard the applause on his way home from work at a London hospital.
“It was really touching to hear the applause,” he said.
“We’re all so worried about whether we’re going to be able to be there for all the patients who are going to need us over the coming weeks and months, and knowing that the public have got our backs was much needed.
“Hearing the clapping told us that people out there know how hard everyone has been working to get ahead of the coming surge as much as we can, and that has given us a boost – a reminder that there’s a world outside the frantic bubble of Covid-related work we’ve all been living in for weeks now.”
At the same time as the mass applause, landmarks including the London Eye, Belfast City Hall and Principality Stadium in Cardiff were lit up blue as part of the #lightitblue salute.
UK landmarks light up blue for NHS staff fighting coronavirus
1/19
The Shard in London is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to the hardworking NHS staff fighting against coronavirus
2/19
Tower Bridge in London is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to hardworking NHS staff
PA
3/19
Tower Bridge in London is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to hardworking NHS staff
4/19
The London Eye is pictured lit blue in support of the NHS
REUTERS
5/19
London’s Piccadilly Circus saluting local heroes during Thursday’s nationwide Clap for Carers NHS initiative to applaud NHS workers fighting the coronavirus pandemic
PA
6/19
Selfridges lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to the hardworking NHS staff fighting coronavirus on the frontline
PA
7/19
Fulwell Windmill in Sunderland is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to the hardworking NHS staff fighting coronavirus
PA
8/19
MediaCityUK in Manchester lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to hardworking NHS staff
PA
9/19
Northern Spire Bridge in Sunderland is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to hardworking NHS staff
PA
10/19
Belfast City Hall is lit up in support of the NHS
REUTERS
11/19
The SSE Arena, Wembley, is seen with a lit up sign for the Clap For Our Carers campaign
REUTERS
12/19
Tawstock Court in Barnstaple lit up in blue
PA
13/19
Ashton Gate, the home of Bristol City FC is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks
PA
14/19
Wembley stadium is seen lit up blue
REUTERS
15/19
Wembley Arch in London is lit up in blue
PA
16/19
The Lowry lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to the hardworking NHS staff who are trying to battle coronavirus.
PA
17/19
The Tyne Bridge in Newcastle is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to the hardworking NHS staff
PA
18/19
People applaud infront of big screen in Piccadilly Circus during the Clap For Our Carers campaign
REUTERS
19/19
The Shard in London is lit up blue
1/19
The Shard in London is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to the hardworking NHS staff fighting against coronavirus
2/19
Tower Bridge in London is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to hardworking NHS staff
PA
3/19
Tower Bridge in London is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to hardworking NHS staff
4/19
The London Eye is pictured lit blue in support of the NHS
REUTERS
5/19
London’s Piccadilly Circus saluting local heroes during Thursday’s nationwide Clap for Carers NHS initiative to applaud NHS workers fighting the coronavirus pandemic
PA
6/19
Selfridges lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to the hardworking NHS staff fighting coronavirus on the frontline
PA
7/19
Fulwell Windmill in Sunderland is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to the hardworking NHS staff fighting coronavirus
PA
8/19
MediaCityUK in Manchester lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to hardworking NHS staff
PA
9/19
Northern Spire Bridge in Sunderland is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to hardworking NHS staff
PA
10/19
Belfast City Hall is lit up in support of the NHS
REUTERS
11/19
The SSE Arena, Wembley, is seen with a lit up sign for the Clap For Our Carers campaign
REUTERS
12/19
Tawstock Court in Barnstaple lit up in blue
PA
13/19
Ashton Gate, the home of Bristol City FC is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks
PA
14/19
Wembley stadium is seen lit up blue
REUTERS
15/19
Wembley Arch in London is lit up in blue
PA
16/19
The Lowry lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to the hardworking NHS staff who are trying to battle coronavirus.
PA
17/19
The Tyne Bridge in Newcastle is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to the hardworking NHS staff
PA
18/19
People applaud infront of big screen in Piccadilly Circus during the Clap For Our Carers campaign
REUTERS
19/19
The Shard in London is lit up blue
It comes after more than 670,000 people have signed up for the NHS volunteer programme in 48 hours, prompting the Government to increase the target to 750,000.
People are being sought to help deliver shopping and medication to those in need, transport patients and NHS equipment, or check in and chat on the phone with individuals at risk of loneliness as a result of self-isolation.
And Tom said that the effort made within the NHS to prepare for the task ahead has been “heartening to see.”
He said: “We’ve all been daunted by what we’ve seen happening in Italy, and in China before that, and knowing that it is heading this way.
“In a few weeks, we’ve completely changed some things in the NHS which previously would have taken months or years to get sorted out, and the sense of can-do and expediency from all the staff has been heartening to see.
“It’s really felt like a huge collective endeavour – all hands on deck as we head into the storm.”
The Prince of Wales, who has been diagnosed with coronavirus, was also seen joining the applause.
Clarence House posted a video in its Instagram Story of heir to throne Charles clapping for health workers from Birkhall, his private home on the Balmoral estate in Scotland.
The prince, 71, clapped along as he stood indoors smartly dressed in an open necked shirt, and jacket with a handkerchief in his pocket.
Camilla, who is isolating from Charles because she does not have the Covid-19 illness, was also seen in separate footage clapping on her own as she looked out of an open window.
The Clap For Carers campaign, which started online, was staged because “during these unprecedented times they need to know we are grateful”, according to the organisers.
The person behind the campaign wrote on its website: “In Spain, France and the Netherlands they already did this. And being a Dutch Londoner, I want to pass this on in the country I feel so at home, and the NHS had been nothing but amazing to my family and myself!”