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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Russell Myers

Queen hopes to personally give NHS Covid heroes the George Cross at Windsor Castle

The Queen is hoping to personally present the George Cross to the NHS next week in a 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 for the ceremony on July 12.

A final decision about whether the Queen will be capable of attending will be made on the day.

The Queen awarded the NHS the prestigious bravery award last July for its efforts during the pandemic and throughout its 73 years.

The Queen is hoping to personally greet NHS chiefs and frontline workers (Getty Images)

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 and heartfelt appreciation.”

The George Cross was instituted by her father, George VI, in 1940 during the Blitz.

Members of medical staff wearing PPE at Wexham Park Hospital (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

It recognises the actions of civilians and military not in the face of the enemy.

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 who received it in 2017 for his actions during the 2013 shopping centre terror attack in Nairobi, Kenya.

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