Publish date: 11 December 2023
A Mid Cheshire nurse has told of the moment she shook hands with King Charles III and wished him a happy birthday during a party at Buckingham Palace.
Indra Kunder, DCS Project Nurse, was invited to the reception to celebrate the King's birthday and the 75th anniversary of the NHS.
She was on the front row of a group of attendees when His Majesty walked into a ballroom and began greeting well-wishers.
Indra said: "There was huge excitement and many people were crowded trying to shake his hand. I was so fortunate to be in the front row.
"The King actually stopped to shake my hand. I got to wish him a happy birthday, and he asked me where I worked and what I did. Although the conversation lasted for less than a minute, it is an experience I will never forget. It took me few days to actually draw-in and fully soak in everything that I experienced on that day."
The Heads of Nursing at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust collectively nominated Indra to attend the event.
She was successfully shortlisted and then received an official royal invitation in the post.
NHS staff from across the country, including international nurses and midwives, had been chosen to attend.
Indra, who is based at Leighton Hospital, said she was very excited to take part in such a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
She said: "I barely slept the night prior due to the excitement. It is the best thing that happened to me in 2023. It was just an unbelievable experience that I find difficult to describe with words.
"I got the opportunity to meet many top dignitaries in the country at the event including His Royal Highness the King himself, Chief Nursing Officer Ruth May, and Chief Midwifery Officer Kate Brintworth."
Among the highlights of the event was a performance by the NHS Choir, who sang a surprise rendition of happy birthday to the King.
Indra said: "The whole event was just amazing, it was like a story from a fairy tale.
"The artwork was just awe-inspiring. The palace was just stunning - everything was just perfect.
"I owe all my gratitude to God firstly, then to my Mid Cheshire family. Many shared in my joy. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the amount of support I have received in the form of well wishes and compliments. Many colleagues that I didn’t know and had not spoken to before, had stopped to congratulate me and share in my happiness. I am forever grateful to Mid Cheshire Hospitals for the recognition and nomination."
