Queen joins Prince Charles at Windsor Castle to honour nurse who administered the world’s first Covid vaccine, joking: ‘You’re still alive?’
- The 96-year-old monarch welcomed health leaders from four countries as she awarded the George Cross to the NHS during the audience at Windsor Castle
- Queen was joined by Prince Charles for the small audience, which included NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard
- She told May Parsons, who delivered the world’s first Covid-19 vaccine to Maggie Keenan on December 8 2020, that the roll-out had been ‘amazing’
- The Queen has kept up a steady stream of public appearances since celebrating her Platinum Jubilee with the nation in June
The Queen joked with NHS leaders and healthcare workers today as she hosted a small audience at Windsor Castle to honour Britain’s health service with the George Cross.
The 96-year-old was joined by Prince Charles as she handed out the medal, second only to the Victoria Cross, and heaped praise on NHS leaders from four countries over the UK’s handling of the vaccine roll-out during the pandemic.
Looking relaxed, the 96-year-old head of state wore a pretty floral dress for the ceremony, as the royals were joined by frontline workers from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Also present was May Parsons, the nurse who delivered the world’s first Covid-19 vaccine outside of clinical trials to Maggie Keenan on December 8 2020.
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The 96-year-old monarch looked in good spirits as she awarded health leaders from four countries the George Cross during the audience at Windsor Castle on Tuesday including Ms Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of NHS England, far right, and May Parsons, who delivered the world’s first Covid vaccine, second from right
The Queen was joined by Prince Charles for the small audience; the 96-year-old is pictured greeting NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard
The George Cross, the highest honour after the Victoria Cross, was awarded to the NHS this afternoon to mark achievements in fighting the pandemic
The Queen, who moved with the aid of her now familiar walking stick, was on fine form and when told about the nurse’s historic first, she made her guests laugh with the quip: ‘You’re still alive?’
When the nurse told the Queen: ‘We’re terribly, terribly proud of the vaccination roll-out, it was so successful,’ she replied: ‘Yes it was amazing.’
And when NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard highlighted the tens of millions who have been jabbed, the monarch said ‘tremendous’.
When the Queen asked: ‘And what are you going to do with it?’ with regards to the medal, she was told by Pritchard it would go on a tour of the NHS before being found a permanent home.
The Queen and heir to the throne Prince Charles, dressed in full military uniform, welcomed a small number of healthcare professionals to the ornate confines of Windsor Castle
The Queen has kept up a steady stream of public appearances since celebrating her Platinum Jubilee with the nation in June
Sharing a glass with Prince Charles to toast the NHS, the George Cross celebrates the health service’s efforts in rolling out the vaccine during the pandemic
Amanda Pritchard and May Parsons, Modern Matron at University Hospital Coventry and Warkwickshire, after being presented with the George Cross, which will now go on a tour of the NHS
Each health executive from the four nations and their frontline colleague came up in turn to receive a George Cross which had been placed on a cushion carried by the Queen’s Equerry Lieutenant Colonel Tom White.
The Queen touched the cushion in a gesture to symbolise its presentation.
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Vernon, Comptroller of the Lord Chamberlain’s Office with responsibility for organising ceremonial events, read out the George Cross citation at the start of the ceremony.
The cross, usually given to civilians for bravery, was first instituted in 1940 by King George VI
Donna Langley Shamshiri from Isle Of Wight was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales
The Queen is pictured shaking hands with Peter May, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health and Chief Executive of Health and Social care, and Sister Joanna Hogg, from the Royal Victoria Hospital Emergency Department
The 96-year-old was seen chatting with her visitors about the UK’s healthcare service as she presented the honour
Judith Paget CBE, Chief Executive NHS Wales and Dr Ami Jones MBE, Intensive Care Consultant, were among those attending the short audience
The Queen looks on as the award is passed to Judith Paget and Dr Ami Jones
He said: ‘It is with great pleasure, on behalf of a grateful Nation, that the George Cross is awarded 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.’
It’s the Queen’s first public engagement since she enjoyed a brief stay at Sandringham.
The Queen was spotted travelling back to Windsor last week – after she spent several days at her husband the late Duke of Edinburgh’s former home.
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