Prince William has visited the Oxford University team working to find a vaccine against COVID-19, describing the work as "incredibly exciting" and "fascinating".
The Duke of Cambridge toured the laboratory where the vaccine has been produced and was also shown where samples from the clinical trial are being examined by researchers.
Wearing a face mask, protective coat and goggles, he spoke to experts including Professor Sarah Gilbert, who developed the vaccine, and Professor Andrew Pollard, who is leading the clinical trial team.
The prince also met members of the public taking part in the trial, asking one female volunteer: "Were you just a willing guinea pig?"
As Professor Pollard paid tribute to the "crucially important" volunteers, William remarked: "You're in good hands, I'm sure."
More than 4,000 volunteers are already enrolled in the UK to test whether the vaccine is effective against coronavirus, with enrolment of a further 10,000 people planned.
This week, trials have begun in Brazil and South Africa, after scientists warned coronavirus was no longer prevalent enough in the UK for the vaccine to be tested effectively.
The government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said earlier this week the Oxford study, supported by drugmaker AstraZeneca, was "probably" the "most advanced" in the world.
While visiting the labs, Prince William said people would "breathe a huge sigh of relief" if it was announced the team had "cracked it" by making a successful vaccine.
"People want there to be some sort of finality to it," he said.
The prince asked how the team would feel if the vaccine was not successful, to which Professor Gilbert said she was hopeful they would "see something".
"The only question is how good it is and how long it will last," she said.
Professor Pollard highlighted the enormity of the challenge, telling the prince: "It's success for the country and the world if these vaccines work, not for us."
A day before the visit, the Duke of Cambridge took part in a video call with AstraZeneca's chief executive Pascal Soriot and Oxford University's vice chancellor Professor Louise Richardson.
The prince told them: "It's the most incredibly exciting and very welcome project that you're all doing which is why it's fascinating."
He congratulated those involved and said his family was proud of the team's efforts, telling them "please keep up the good work".
Mr Soriot previously said he expects to have the results of the clinical trials by August or September.
He believes the vaccine will provide protection against the disease "for about a year".
"exciting" - Google News
June 25, 2020 at 05:04AM
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Coronavirus: Prince William visits team working on 'incredibly exciting' Oxford vaccine trial - Sky News
"exciting" - Google News
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