Queen Elizabeth.Photo: Mark Cuthbert/getty
Queen Elizabethhas awarded the U.K.’s public health service one of her highest honors.
On Monday she announced she had bestowed a George Cross upon the National Health Service (NHS). The award comes on the organization’s 73rd anniversary and after the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.
In a handwritten letter, sent from Windsor Castle and shared on the Royal Family’s social media channels, Elizabeth, 95, praised the “courage, compassion and dedication” of staff, past and present.
She wrote: “It is with great pleasure, on behalf of a grateful nation, that I award the George Cross to the National Health Services of the United Kingdom.”
“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.”
Queen Elizabeth at Royal Windsor Horse Show.Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty
The most recent recipient of the George Cross is Dominic Troulan, a retired British Army officer and former Royal Marine, who was awarded it in June 2017 for his actions during the 2013 Westgate shopping mall attack in Nairobi, Kenya.
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Queen Elizabeth and Princess Anne in Scotland last week.ANDREW MILLIGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
After spending a week traveling through Scotland undertaking a variety of visits and engagements, the Queenrelaxed at the Royal Windsor Horse Showover the weekend — a welcome relief after the show’s postponement last year.
source: people.com
