The Prince and Princess of Wales met the first person born under the National Health Service, at a tea party celebrating the NHS's 75th anniversary.
Aneira Thomas told them she had been born in Carmarthenshire at 00:01 on 5 July 1948, the same day as the NHS. She was named after the NHS founder and then Health Minister Aneurin Bevan.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, told current and ex-NHS staff at the party, at St Thomas' Hospital, in London, "I wanted to come here and say thank you."
Mrs Thomas told the royal couple: "Every maternity ward in the country was waiting for the first baby. The doctors delivering me kept looking at the clock, looking back at Mum.
"She was waiting to hear the word 'push' - but all she heard was, 'Hold on, Edna.' Timing was everything." Mrs Thomas went on to work in the NHS, as a mental-health nurse. Her four sisters also became nurses.
“The NHS also saved both of my children", she said, when her son and daughter had suffered life-changing brain haemorrhages. Mrs Thomas has previously told a family story from before the founding of the NHS, recalling that when her grandfather broke his leg they had to sell their piano to pay the doctor's bill.
Prince William and Catherine also spoke to Blanche Hines, a nurse for almost 50 years and part of the Windrush generation, whose daughter and grandson also work in health services.
At the event, organised by NHS Charities Together, Prince William told guests: "Wishing everyone a very happy 75th birthday at the NHS." The anniversary comes in a year when NHS staff have been taking industrial action in disputes over pay.
The NHS charities focus on the wellbeing of the workforce, including offering psychological support and counselling. Consultant clinical psychologist Dr Neil Rees said that Prince William understood the issues and complexities - particularly with the current challenges we're facing.
