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The tender love story behind this emotional viral image

The touching love story behind a viral photograph of a paramedic fulfilling a terminally-ill woman’s last wishes with a final trip to the beach has been revealed.

It has emerged that the beach was the site of romantic memories between the dying woman, identified as Joyce in the Sunday Mail and her husband, who did not wish to give his name or their last name.

The story has touched the hearts of the world and caught the attention of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who will meet with the kind paramedics involved on their trip to Australia.

The photograph showed the woman on an ambulance stretcher looking at the beach with a paramedic by her side at Hervey Bay, three hours north of Brisbane.

The heartwarming photo of a terminally ill woman (pictured).
The heartwarming photo of a terminally ill woman (pictured). Source: Facebook/Queensland Ambulance Service

Joyce had asked the ambulance crew to stop at the beach, so she could enjoy a final view of the ocean before her final visit to hospital.

The image went viral after it was posted to the Queensland Ambulance Service’s Facebook page on November 23, 2017.

Now it has revealed that the beach was close to the woman’s heart as it brought back tender memories of walks with her husband, News Limited reports.

Graeme Cooper and Danielle Kellam were taking a palliative care patient to hospital for the final time when they stopped by the beach. Images: 7 News
Graeme Cooper and Danielle Kellam were taking a palliative care patient to hospital for the final time when they stopped by the beach. Images: 7 News

Joyce and her husband enjoyed walking on the beach and fell in love with the Hervey Bay area so much that they decided to move there to enjoy their retirement.

Caring paramedics, Graeme Cooper and Danielle Kellam were driving the woman when she made the unusual request.

Mr Cooper wheeled Joyce to the beach, while Ms Kellam snapped a photograph of the pair.

After 15 minutes of looking at the sea Joyce was eased back into the ambulance and taken to hospital. She died two days later.

Their heartwarming act captured the world’s attention and was noticed by the English Royal Family.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reached out to the medics and will meet the pair on October 22 during their visit down under.