Prince William receives first dose of coronavirus vaccine

Duke of Cambridge thanks everyone working on vaccine rollout ‘for everything you’ve done and continue to do’

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge visits Base25 to mark mental health awareness week in Wolverhampton on 13 May 2021 (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Prince William has received his first dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

The Duke of Cambridge received the jab from NHS staff at the Science Museum in Kensington.

Sharing a picture of the moment on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s official Twitter account, he said: “On Tuesday I received my first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

“To all those working on the vaccine rollout - thank you for everything you’ve done and continue to do.”

William, 38, joins his grandmother the Queen and his father Prince Charles as senior members of the royal family who have received the vaccine.

The Queen, 94, said in February that people who refuse the Covid vaccine “ought to think about other people rather than themselves”.

In the past, the duke has also spoken out in favour of the vaccine, hailing the “monumental success” of the mass rollout and expressing his desire to have his first dose.

William, who is left-handed, is pictured receiving his jab in his right arm after rolling up the sleeve of his top.

It is understood he received the vaccine that was available at the centre - it is not known which one he was given or if Kate, 39, has received her first vaccination.

According to reports, William had previously contracted Covid-19 around the same time as Charles in April 2020.

The Sun reported that he kept his diagnosis private to avoid alarming the nation and was treated by palace doctors while isolating at the family home in Anmer Hall, in Norfolk.

His vaccination comes ahead of William and Kate’s week-long tour of Scotland, which will begin on Friday, to celebrate those who have “gone above and beyond to support their communities” during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The duke will begin the tour in his role as Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and Kate will join him on Monday, said Kensington Palace.

A spokesperson for Kensington Palace said: “The duke is honoured to be fulfilling the role of Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland this year.

“Both he and the duchess are very much looking forward to spending time in Scotland, hearing from a wide range of people on the issues they care about, and celebrating individuals who have gone above and beyond to support their communities over the past year.”