“I have decided to create at once a new mark of honour for men and women in all walks of civilian life.”
80 years ago today, King George VI announced the creation of the George Cross. The award ranks alongside the Victoria Cross, and recognises acts of bravery away from battle.
Since 1940, the George Cross has been awarded over 400 times.
During WW2, many recipients were recognised for their roles in bomb disposals, or their work with the secret Special Operations Executive.
📷 John Babington, who defused German bombs; Odette Hallowes, an SOE agent
Violette Szabo, an undercover agent, was captured and died in a German concentration camp, but she never gave up the identities of her peers.
Her George Cross was bestowed posthumously, and her young daughter Tania received the award from King George VI on her behalf in 1946.
The George Cross was awarded collectively to Malta in 1942, following hundreds of air raids.
In a letter to the Governor, The King said the award was “to bear witness to a heroism and devotion that will long be famous in history.”
📷 King George VI visits Malta, 1943
The George Cross is still awarded today 🏅
Most recently, The Queen bestowed the award on Dominic Troulan, a former Royal Marine who risked his life to save dozens of people during a terrorist attack on a shopping centre in Kenya.
📷 The Queen and Mr Troulan, 2017
Her Majesty is Patron of The Victoria Cross and George Cross Association, whose members include living recipients of each of the awards.
📷 The Queen meets holders of the Victoria Cross and the George Cross, and their families, at a reception at Buckingham Palace in 2014
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🇮🇪 Ten years ago today, Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, made a State Visit to the Republic of Ireland at the invitation of President Mary McAleese.
☘️ Over 4 days, Her Majesty visited Irish cultural, academic, government, and heritage institutions.
🏟 Visited @CrokePark- the home of the Gaelic Games.
📚Met academics and scientists @tcddublinLibrary @TyndallInstitut.
🐎 Visited the Irish National Stud in Tully.
🍺 Learnt the art of pulling the perfect pint @homeofguinness.
The Queen and The Duke attended a State Dinner with The President and her husband.
Her Majesty’s speech, which she opened in Gaeilge, the Irish language, reflected on relations between Ireland & the United Kingdom, the peace process in Northern Ireland, and a look to the future.
🍃 Today marks the launch of @QGCanopy, a a unique, UK-wide tree planting initiative created to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
📸 The Queen and The Prince of Wales with the first Jubilee tree, planted earlier this year.
🌱🎥 ‘Planting a tree is a statement of hope and faith in the future.’
The Prince of Wales, Patron, recalls planting the first Jubilee tree in the grounds of Windsor Castle alongside The Queen, during the planting season (October - March).
The Duke of Edinburgh was closely involved in the planning of his own Funeral. As a result, it will involve a number of unique touches which reflect his life and work.
Many of the moments choreographed by The Duke demonstrate his lifelong commitment to the Armed Forces.
His Royal Highness’s coffin will be carried by both the Grenadier Guards and the Royal Marines during tomorrow’s ceremony.
The Duke’s association with the Royal Marines lasted for his entire Royal working life. He was made Captain General in 1953, and his final official engagement ahead of his retirement was a Royal Marines parade at Buckingham Palace.
Today The Princess Royal visited the @RVYCIOW and the @royal_squadron on the Isle of Wight. Her father The Duke of Edinburgh was Admiral and later Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron.
During the visit, Her Royal Highness spoke fondly of learning to sail with her father, and later attending sailing events with him.
📸 The Princess Royal with The Duke of Edinburgh at Cowes Week in 1970.
The Duke of Edinburgh was a keen sailor. From 1956 to 1970 and then again from 1975 to 1980, he served as President of the @RYA.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, district nurses have been instrumental in helping those in need at home.
🌡 Over recent weeks, nurses have been redeployed from their normal roles to work in the community.
@TheQNI has set-up an online Coronavirus Information Centre to help this transition, with “rapid training plans” for those who are working in home settings for the first time.
The Queen succeeded Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother as Patron of @TheQNI in 2002. In 2019, @TheQNI was recognised as the oldest nursing charity in the world.
The Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Award is still given to community nurses who provide exceptional care.