Swansea woman who was the first baby born on the NHS gets surprise visit from Prince and Princess of Wales

Hosted by NHS Charities Together – the national charity caring for the NHS, of which Their Royal Highnesses are Patrons – and television presenter Mel Giedroyc, the event was attended by members of the workforce and patients representing myriad achievements of the NHS and NHS charities over the last 75 years. It was held in the wellbeing garden of St Thomas’ Hospital in London – a wellbeing initiative funded by Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity. 

Aneira, also known as Nye – who was named after NHS founder Aneurin Bevan – was born at 00.01 on 5^th July 1948, just as the health service was also born.  

Nye said: “My mother had a long, hard labour and was nearly giving birth coming up to midnight on 4th July. The doctor and nurse kept looking at the clock, and she was waiting for them to tell her to push, but all she could hear was ‘hold on Edna, hold on’! She held her breath as long as she could and pushed me out at one minute past midnight, at the exact time the NHS was coming into fruition. After the horrors of the war, Great Britain was broken and to have a national health service come into fruition was like throwing a comfort blanket around the nation – we lead the way in 1948.  

Talking about her experience at the event, she adds: “When the curtain went back, and we were all sitting at our tables, His Royal Highness Prince William and Her Royal Highness Kate, walked in and I think we were all just taken aback! It was a fantastic surprise and it’s wonderful to see their support for our NHS and NHS charities. We owe them for everything they’ve done – their skill, care and compassion is second to none, and must be cherished for future generations to come and not only though Covid, because they’ve been phenomenal all along and they do a job that not everybody can do.” 

Other guests The Prince and Princess met with included pioneers in research, those on the frontline tackling Covid-19, and other staff and patients from past and present, including three generations of NHS workers from one family – inspired by grandmother and former nurse of nearly 50 years, Blanche Hines, who was part of the Windrush generation. 

A surprise visit for those invited, The Prince and Princess even arrived early to help lay the tables and put finishing touches on a birthday cake. Their Royal Highnesses discussed current challenges and thanked staff for the work they continue to do, and – in the spirit of the tea party – even attempted to settle the long-standing scone debate regarding jam or cream first, with The Princess voting for jam, and Prince William preferring whatever is closest. They concluded their visit with a video message for the entire NHS: “Wishing everyone a very happy 75^th birthday for the NHS. Thank you so much for all you do.” 

Ellie Orton OBE, Chief Executive of NHS Charities Together, said: “We want to say a huge thank you to our Royal Patrons, and everyone who’s helped celebrate the 75^th anniversary of our beloved NHS this year. As the national charity caring for the NHS, NHS Charities Together is here for anyone who wants to give something back to its people, who all give so much to us, and that extra support has never been so important. It includes providing staff psychologists, counselling, peer support training and so much more. 

“It’s not too late to arrange your own NHS Big Tea party and raise vital funds to support NHS charities – find out how you can get involved at nhscharitiestogether.co.uk.” 

Eurovision and former Great-British Bake Off presenter Mel Giedroyc was the host for the event on behalf of NHS Charities Together, and said: “The NHS is part of our DNA in this country so it was an utter privilege to be involved in this NHS Big Tea surprise to celebrate 75 years of the NHS and NHS charities. People were so delighted and it was just a quintessentially lovely, British day, celebrating our health service that we all love so much. I hope we will continue to love and take care of it for the next 750 years, because it’s something truly precious – and what would we do without it? I have it to thank for my hernia operations!” 

The Prince and Princess of Wales became Royal Patrons for NHS Charities Together in December 2020, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, their support for the charity has helped to shine a light on the incredible and ongoing contribution of the NHS workforce and the role of NHS charities in helping the NHS go further for everyone. 

Now entering its sixth year, the NHS Big Tea brings the nation together to celebrate the NHS and raise funds to provide the extra support needed for staff, patients, and volunteers. All funds raised from the NHS Big Tea contribute to key projects supporting the incredible NHS workforce, the long-term recovery of the NHS following Covid-19, and projects improving care for patients and communities.