Queen honours NHS gallantry
Her Majesty, 96, hoping to present medal
THE Queen hopes to personally present the George Cross to the NHS next week in a special ceremony.
Her Majesty, 96, who has ongoing mobility problems, is planning to welcome the chiefs of the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and a frontline worker from each, to Windsor Castle. Prince Charles is due to accompany her on July 12. A final decision about whether the monarch will be capable of attending the ceremony will be made on the day. The Queen awarded the NHS the bravery award last July for its efforts during the pandemic and throughout its 73 years.
Announcing the award, her Majesty said: “This award recognises all NHS staff, past and present, across all disciplines and all four nations.
“Over more than seven decades, and especially in recent times, you have supported the people of our country with courage, compassion and dedication, demonstrating the highest standards of public service.
“You have our enduring thanks.” The George Cross was instituted by her father, George VI, in 1940 during the Blitz. It recognises acts of heroism by civilians and military personnel.
It will be only the third time the award has been given to a collective body rather than an individual after it was conferred on the residents of Malta in 1942 and Northern Ireland’s Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1999.
The last recipient was Dominic Troulan in 2017 for his actions during the 2013 terror attack in Nairobi, Kenya.
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