SIR TOM MOORE
THE QUEEN LOOKED RADIANT AS SHE KNIGHTED CAPTAIN SIR TOM MOORE IN HER FIRST FACE-TO-FACE ENGAGEMENT SINCE LOCKDOWN
After four months of isolating at Windsor Castle, Her Majesty the Queen appeared thrilled to be back at work as she conferred the Honour of Knighthood on Captain Sir Tom Moore. The investiture, which would normally have taken place inside Buckingham Palace, was held outside in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle due to social distancing guidelines. It occurred just over three hours after the monarch was spotted leaving her granddaughter Princess Beatrice’s wedding.
Wearing the same aqua coat dress and matching hat, her arrival was signalled by the sound of bagpipes played by the Queen’s Piper. She then used the sword that belonged to her father, George VI, as she bestowed the great honour on the 100-year-old war veteran.
Tom, who was accompanied by members of his family, captured the nation’s hearts when he raised £33 million for NHS charities by walking 100 laps of his garden in April.
Congratulating him, the Queen said, “Thank you so much. An amazing amount of money you raised.” Commenting on reaching his centenary year, she remarked, “100 hundred is a great age,” adding, “Anyway it’s a nice day. Best of luck to you.”
Earlier in the same week she was in extremely good spirits during her second public Zoom call as she chatted candidly with service personnel from the armed forces.
Clearly enjoying her discussion with them about their daily lives during the pandemic, it gave royal fans the chance to see the warm, witty side to her majesty’s personality. In particular, she became very animated when Lance Corporal Shanwayne Stephens, who serves in The Queen’s Colour Squadron, told her about his other role as the pilot of the Jamaican bobsleigh team. “Gosh, sounds a very dangerous job,” the Queen exclaimed, before asking how he trained. When he revealed he pushed a car up and down the road to keep fit, she chuckled, “Oh! Well, I suppose that’s one way to train.”
Her relaxed composure just goes to show how, at 94 years old, she’s been quick to pick up the knack of virtual meetings – no doubt thanks to her regular Zoom calls with her great grandchildren during lockdown!