One royal family member will continue to work at a hospital amid the Coronavirus pandemic

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Coronavirus has changed life as we know it and with extreme measures put in place, the royal family has been leading the way.

The Queen and Prince Philip spent lockdown in Windsor Castle with a skeleton staff and have since moved to Balmoral, Scotland, for their summer holiday, something Princess Beatrice is no longer able to attend, being forced to quarantine after her honeymoon in France.

Over the past few months, royal family members have been doing their bit to raise money for the fight against coronavirus, with the Queen’s eldest granddaughter Zara Tindall painting and auctioning off her work for the NHS and the Duke of Westminster (Prince George’s godfather) personally giving millions to the cause.

It was a different high profile name that made the most news however, doing a royal first and swapping her tiara for a pair of scrubs.

The royal in question - Princess Sofia of Sweden.

A photo posted by on

The Swedish royal joined the frontline in April, aiding medical staff at hospitals after undertaking a three day medical course.

Princess Sofia, whose role is patron of Sophiahemmet hospital wanted to pave the way and took it upon herself to complete an intensive training programme at Stockholm’s Sophiahemmet University College.

She has since been assisting staff at hospitals with non-medical tasks, with most of her roles reportedly including sterilising equipment and cleaning.

'The last few months have been tough for very many, not least in healthcare,' Princess Sofia announced earlier this year, explaining her experience as a medical assistant. 'All efforts have been needed, and I know that several of you have gone in and supported in different parts of healthcare. I, myself, got an opportunity to come in and work at Sophiahemmet and still do. In fact, with some of you. But to see healthcare from the inside in this way, to meet patients myself, and to see safe, well-trained nurses "in action," it is rare that I have been so impressed.'

It was announced this week that Princess Sofia would be continuing her medical volunteer work, with the Head of Information for The Royal Court of Sweden telling Expressen in an update: 'Princess Sofia continues her work at Sophiahemmet and will start her part-time job again in September. She is very much looking forward to it.'

Well done Princess Sofia for paving the way!

Jenny Proudfoot
Features Editor

Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. She has worked at Marie Claire UK for seven years, rising from intern to Features Editor and is now the most published Marie Claire writer of all time. She was made a 30 under 30 award-winner last year and named a rising star in journalism by the Professional Publishers Association.