The Duchess of Cambridge has penned a letter as part of the British Royal Family’s celebration of the 150th anniversary of the British Red Cross on August 4. Kate joins The Queen, Prince Charles, and Princess Alexandra in sending a message of support to the organization.
Kate’s contribution was a letter sent to 150 staffers and volunteers who were nominated by the charity for their work. The 150 recipients also received a special coin created by the Royal Mint for the anniversary. In addition to the letter below, Kate released a photo of her grandmother, Valerie Middleton, who served in the Red Cross during World War II. You can see the photo here.
I wish to send you many congratulations on being awarded this commemorative coin, created by the Royal Mint, to mark the 150th Anniversary of the British Red Cross. Your colleagues nominated you because of your hard work with the British Red Cross and because of the way in which you carry out your work: helping those who need it most and putting people first.
On this anniversary, I would like to thank and remember the many thousands of staff and volunteers who over the years have contributed tirelessly to the organisation’s work, including my great-grandmother, Olive and my grandmother, Valerie who both served as a Voluntary Aid Detachment with the British Red Cross. Olive during the First World War and Valerie during the Second World War. Like you and many others, they are both part of the rich history of the British Red Cross, which is helping to ensure many people get the support they need during a crisis. In recent months, I have been deeply moved by the work you and your colleagues have continued to do throughout the coronavirus pandemic. You have all been doing an inspiring job supporting vulnerable people.
I hope this coin serves as a token to remind you of the importance of the role you play in sustaining this incredible organisation.
It’s nice that Kate/her team added Kate’s familial connection to the Red Cross into this letter, because it gives significance and meaning to why she joined the other royals in celebrating the Red Cross’ anniversary. The other royals have a working relationship with the organization, and Kate does not, but her familial connection provides understanding to what would have otherwise been a random connection. I’ll even overlook the grammatical errors. 😉
The Queen, who is Patron of The British Red Cross Society, sent a written message of support to the organization in honor of the occasion.
As Patron of the British Red Cross I send my warmest congratulations to the staff and volunteers of the Society on the occasion of its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary.
Whether those involved in the Society are assisting people to return home from hospital safely, offering care and support in the aftermath of a disaster, volunteering in a shop, administering first aid or some of the many other activities the British Red Cross encompasses, their contribution is recognised, valued and greatly appreciated.
I send my heartfelt thanks and warmest good wishes to you all.
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Prince Charles, President, recorded a video message introduction to the 150 Voices digital exhibition, which you can watch here. Princess Alexandra, Deputy President, made a phone call to Red Cross volunteer Anne Taylor – who is “one of the charity’s longest-serving volunteers, having worked with the Red Cross for 80 years, starting in 1940, during World War II.” [T&C]
