Princess Sofia of Sweden volunteered at hospital during coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19 five year anniversary

Five years ago, the world was plunged into uncertainly when the coronavirus pandemic began spreading rapidly from country to country.

Most people were confined to their homes from March, 2020, as governments issued lockdown orders aimed at containing the spread of the virus.

Everyone was affected in some way, including royals who were no longer able to carry out public engagements – a staple of their work.

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Instead, just like most of us, work life moved online and Zoom meets became the norm.

Last Sunday marked the official five-year anniversary of the start of the pandemic around the world.

Not all countries had such tough restrictions. Sweden was among a handful of countries that didn’t impose lockdowns despite neighbours Denmark, Norway and Finland issuing rules to limit people’s movements.

The Swedish government bucked the lockdown trend by asking its citizens to practise social distancing and act responsibly, refusing to close public venues including schools, gyms, cafes, bars and restaurants.

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Many found themselves helpless as millions around the world succumbed to the virus, while others became seriously unwell.

Scores were left without work as industries shut down and in-person transitioned to online.

Princess Sofia, a member of Sweden’s royal family, chose to keep herself busy by volunteering at a local hospital when all public royal engagements were put on hold.

In April, 2020, Sofia undertook basic healthcare training to allow her to work alongside doctors and nurses at Sophiahemmet, a private hospital in Stockholm.

Her involvement was announced by the hospital, and Princess Sofia herself, on Instagram with a photo of a pair of scrubs, an ID card and other equipment.

“Together with other newly trained colleagues, I support and relieve the care staff with various tasks, including care of patients and cleaning,” Sofia wrote, adding that her role is part of the hospital’s ’emergency response’ framework.

“To have the opportunity to help in this difficult time is extremely rewarding.”

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The hospital said: “Princess Sofia is not only [our] honorary chair, but now also works with us,” its post read.

“This is after having completed our basic nursing education, which has been developed to relieve the now severely strained healthcare staff.”

At the time, Sofia was one of 80 volunteers supporting medical staff at the hospital.

The group did not work directly with patients, but rather provided support to doctors and nurses.

“They’re going to relieve the health care professionals during this crisis so that those who are trained to care can actually do it,” a spokesperson said at the time.

“In other words, anyone who attends this training will not have any patient-close care. They can disinfect equipment, do shifts in the kitchen and cleaning.”

At the time, Sweden’s royal court said Sofia wanted to “get involved and make a contribution as a voluntary worker to relieve the large workload of health care professionals”.

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Five years on, Princess Sofia continues to have a close working relationship with the hospital and in December it wished the royal a happy 40th birthday by sharing a photo of her from her volunteering days.

Princess Sofia’s own life has changed dramatically since the start of the pandemic: she and husband Prince Carl Philip have welcomed two more children, Prince Julian, born in 2021 and Princess Ines, born on February 7.

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