Coronavirus: Princess Sofia of Sweden joins hospital staff as healthcare assistant to fight pandemic

Princess Sofia is assisting medics after completing a short course

A Swedish princess has begun working in one of the country's hospitals to help fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

Princess Sofia, 35, is helping staff on the frontline at the Sophiahemmet hospital after completing a three-day medical course at Sophiahemmet University College, where she is an honorary chair member.

She is now able to assist the workforce in battling the infection, which has so far killed over 1,000 people in Sweden and infected 12,000 more.

The princess, married to Prince Carl Philip, 40, was pictured at the hospital on 16 April wearing scrubs along with other staff.

Sophiahemmet University, also based in the Swedish capital, is helping to train 80 people per week to be deployed to hospitals and ease the burden on medics, reports Mail Online.

Reports suggest the princess was keen to make a voluntary contribution to the healthcare system during the coronavirus crisis.

Princess Sofia, a mother-of-two and former model, joined Sweden's royal family in 2015 after marrying Prince Carl Philip - son of King Carl Gustaf.

The couple has two children together; two-year-old Prince Alexander and Prince Gabriel, also aged two.

Meanwhile, in the UK, William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, today launch a new campaign encouraging people to look after their mental health during lockdown.

The campaign, called 'Every Mind Matters' has been launched with help from the NHS and Public Health England

It is targeted at those at the greatest risk of suffering from poor mental health during the pandemic.

The platform, which has been online since October but only recently pivoted to coronavirus-specific content, includes free resources for managing your mental wellbeing and advice on improving this at home, as well as supporting friends and family.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge say in a video accompanying the launch: “All over the country people are staying at home to protect the NHS and save lives. It’s not always easy.

“We can feel frustrated, miss loved ones or get anxious. So now more than ever, Every Mind Matters.”

According to official NHS guidance, the best way to look after your mental health during the pandemic are: talking about your worries with friends and family, setting a regular routine and making goals, maintain good quality sleep, manage your news intake, and try to do exercise where possible.

If you are worried about your own mental health or that of friends or family members, you can call Mind on 0300 123 3393 or Samaritans on 116 123.