You wouldn't normally put Game of Thrones' Emilia Clarke and ITV presenter Kate Garraway together as the most likely of duos, but the it turns out the pair have been working together for a very special cause. The much-loved stars united on Wednesday night for the Royal College of Nursing's Nurse of the Year Awards, since both are ambassadors for the charity. The actress also gave an emotional speech at the event, paying tribute to the nurses that cared for her father before his passing in 2016. "I was given the opportunity to be involved in the intricacies that made up a day of trying to save his life, and it showed me with such clarity not only the awe-inspiring skill that the nurses clearly had, but the emotional intelligence that came along with it," she said.
© Photo: Getty ImagesEmilia gave an emotional speech in support of the nursing community
"I know my dad received the best care and medical support from our nurses, who dealt with every second of those dark days. Now more than ever we must value nursing. Nursing is about more than just medicine; it’s about engaging with another person on a human level – like hugging a daughter who knows that she is about to lose her dad."
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Emilia also posted a snap of herself and Kate posing with one of the winners on stage, writing, "Just had the most moving inspiring and humbling night @thercn #nurseoftheyearawards… these hard working individuals are changing the world every single day.
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"I am so privileged to be an ambassador for the @rcn and tonight is the kinda night where I see how much good we can do for these people who never give up on us," she added. Kate also took to Twitter to post an inspiring picture from the stage, captioning it: "Doing my best @TheEllenShow Oscars selfie with all the fantastic nurses at tonight’s #RCNiAwards @RCNi."
The annual RCNi Nurse Awards are the UK’s most prestigious nursing accolades, recognising those who provide outstanding care for patients and transform nursing for the better. The 2018 awards ceremony took place at The Park Plaza in London, and saw Angela Hall, a cardiac nurse from Jersey, crowned the UK’s Nurse of the Year.
It looks like Emilia was a surprise guest on the night, since industry publication Nursing Standard tweeted before the event: "Tonight's the night when we celebrate the very best in nursing. Congratulations to all our finalists in the prestigious @rcni Nurse Awards. Join us, host @kategarraway and a very special surprise guest as we crown @theRCN Nurse of the Year."
