The Good Morning Britain presenter set out filming with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge this week which sparked a new celebrity friendship. In March, Ms Garraway’s husband Derek was hospitalised with COVID-19.
She spoke about her family’s experience to the Cambridges during a day of filming for the Pride of Britain Awards.
Ms Garraway said she was “honoured” to join the royal couple to pay tribute to NHS staff for their hard work during the pandemic.
The TV presenter’s husband is still seriously ill in hospital after seven months.
The 53-year-old father has been in a state of minimal consciousness since July.
The Duke and Duchess told Ms Garraway that they wanted to give her “a hug” following her husband’s continuing battle with the virus.
The Cambridges were touched by the presenter’s experience with the coronavirus and how it had impacted her and her children Darcey, 14, and Billy, 11.
Prince William said: “You are doing amazingly though.
“If it wasn’t for social distancing we would both give you a hug.”
READ MORE: Kate Middleton: How the Duchess takes inspiration from Princes Diana
The royal couple gave the awards at one of Britain’s oldest hospitals – St Bartholomew’s in the City of London.
At the hospital, Prince William said: “The devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic has reminded us as a nation of how much we owe to the thousands of NHS workers who have gone far beyond the call of duty this year.
“They have worked tirelessly around the clock, with humility and compassion, in the most challenging of circumstances, putting their own lives on the line to help others.
“It is fitting that we are here today at Britain’s oldest hospital to thank and celebrate our NHS staff and to honour them with a Pride of Britain award.”
He added: “Through our conversations with frontline workers during the pandemic, we have been inspired by their stories of bravery and selflessness.
“Many have had to leave their families for weeks on end, some have come out of retirement to help, while others have stepped into new roles to play their part in the fight against coronavirus.
“And it is not just the medical teams – all NHS staff have played a crucial role through this time.
“During lockdown we joined people up and down the country to applaud the NHS and our keyworkers each week. Their hard work still goes on and we remain indebted to them for all they do.”
Ms Garraway is set to appear in an ITV documentary about the pandemic and the impacts it has had on her and her family.
The one-off documentary was confirmed during Thursday’s Lorraine programme.
