British royals host carers at Windsor

King Charles and the British royal family highlighted carers at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.

King Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by the Duchesses of Edinburgh and Gloucester at Windsor Castle on Wednesday to highlight the tireless work of both paid and unpaid carers across the United Kingdom.

The Carers’ Reception celebrated the often unseen strength and resilience of the millions who carry out daily work assisting others unable to care for themselves, for a number of reasons, both professionally and by helping a family member.

At the start of the day, the Royal Family released a personal message from the King, also printed for the around 380 invited guests, in which Charles spoke of the inspirational work carried out by the carer sector.

My wife and I are delighted to welcome you here this evening as we celebrate and give thanks to those remarkable individuals who dedicate their lives to the care of others.

Across the United Kingdom today, there are some five million people providing unpaid care to a loved one. That is one in every 10 adults who, alongside the demands of their own lives, have taken upon their shoulders the sacred and selfless responsibility of caring for another human being.

They do so not for recognition nor reward, but because their hearts compel them to.

Alongside these wonderfully altruistic individuals stand the estimated 1.6 million professionals who work in social care—the nurses, care workers, support staff, and countless others who have chosen to make compassion their vocation.

I have observed the gentle humour and camaraderie of colleagues that can lighten the heaviest of days. Above all, I have been moved, time and again, by the resilience of those who give so much of themselves while asking for so little in return.

According to the 2021 Census, there are around 5.8 million unpaid carers in the United Kingdom, with 29 per cent providing more than 50 hours of care each week, and women making up 59% of the unpaid carer population.

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, and his wife, Lady Starmer, were also in attendance.

King Charles’ message given to those present that evening concluded with,

So to those who provide care—whether you wear a uniform or simply the clothes you felt able to pull on in the morning—please know that the great love you show in small ways every day is an example and an inspiration to us all. It is our duty, in return, to ensure it is never taken for granted nor forgotten.