The Prince of Wales is visiting the Royal Berkshire Hospital today to mark five years since the start of the Covid pandemic and highlight the work of NHS Charities Together

Prince William is commemorating an important anniversary with a visit that holds a special significance to his wife, Kate. The Prince of Wales is at the Royal Berkshire Hospital today to mark the five-year anniversary of the Covid pandemic’s onset and to celebrate the efforts of NHS Charities Together, where he and the Princess of Wales serve as patrons.

This event occurs just hours after Meghan Markle released her new lifestyle show on Netflix, in which she notably avoided discussing her Royal family members who are no longer close to her. The Royal Berkshire Hospital was deeply impacted by the Covid crisis, with the first UK patient succumbing to the virus there.

During his visit, William stopped by the hospital’s Oasis Health and Wellbeing Centre and Garden, meeting with staff who benefit from the new facility and those who served during the pandemic. On social media, the official account for William and Kate shared: “A poignant visit to Royal Berkshire Hospital to see firsthand the lasting impact of @NHSCharities’ support over the past five years, since the start of the COVID pandemic.”

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The hospital visit comes shortly after the Wales family enjoyed a Caribbean getaway to Mustique. Admirers were quick to comment on the prince’s post-holiday glow and his now-iconic beard.

One fan expressed on social media: “Tanned William is my fave” while another complimented: “Looking good and fresh man.”, reports the Mirror.

Another admirer noted: “Prince William looks so good.”

William, accompanied by Kate, last paid a visit to the hospital in December 2020. This was several months after they helped launch the NHS Charities Together Urgent Covid-19 Appeal, which raised over £15million within the first five days and eventually amassed over £160million.

These funds were used to support patients and hospital staff during the crisis. Today’s visit by William follows his and Kate’s celebration of St David’s Day last week in Pontypridd, where they participated in making Welsh cakes.

In another event, Kate shared her plum jam recipe with volunteers at a community garden. On Saturday, William delivered his first message in Welsh, wishing Wales a “Happy St David’s Day”.

He pre-recorded a social media video to commemorate March 1, the day dedicated to Wales’s patron saint, and to “to celebrate Wales – its history, its culture, and its incredible people”. Although he is not taking formal lessons, it is understood that William has been learning conversational Welsh.

However, it is not known who is teaching him or if he is attending classes at an institution. It is believed that he has been using Duolingo, an app offering lessons in various languages, to improve his Welsh skills.

In a special message, the heir to the throne expressed: “Hello. Today, on St David’s Day, we come together to celebrate Wales – its history, its culture, and its incredible people. From its breathtaking landscapes to its language, Wales continues to inspire. Today, we will celebrate everything that is magical about Wales. To the people of Wales and everybody around the world, Happy St David’s Day.”

Although Prince William is known to exchange pleasantries in Welsh during his visits to Wales, he has not previously been heard speaking full sentences in the language publicly. Since his father’s announcement in his inaugural televised king’s speech—made the day after Queen Elizabeth II’s passing in 2022—that he had conferred the title of Prince of Wales upon his eldest son, William has not had an investiture as Prince of Wales.