THE Queen beamed as she awarded NHS heroes with the George Cross at a special Windsor ceremony this afternoon.
Her Majesty, who has suffered intermittent mobility problems, did not use a walking aid for the occasion.
And she was spotted making her guests laugh before Prince Charles then stepped in to congratulate them for the honour.
The royals have teamed up to recognise the NHS for its "courage, compassion and dedication", particularly during the pandemic.
Guests included NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard and her counterparts from NHS Scotland and NHS Wales, Caroline Lamb and Judith Paget.
A frontline worker from each of the home nations also attended.
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May Parsons, the nurse who delivered the world's first Covid-19 vaccine outside clinical trials to Margaret Keenan in December 2020, was among them.
The award of the George Cross by the Queen is made on the advice of the George Cross Committee and the Prime Minister.
Today marks only the third occasion on which it has been awarded to a collective body, country or organisation, rather than an individual.
In a message sent on on Windsor Castle-headed paper last July, on the 73rd anniversary of the NHS's foundation, the Queen 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.
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"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."
Ms Pritchard said the award is an "incredible honour".
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“The award recognises the extraordinary courage, compassion and dedication of staff over more than 70 years, particularly in the face of the Covid pandemic," she said.
“So it was particularly special to receive it alongside May, who made history when she delivered the world’s first Covid jab outside of the clinical trial, kick-starting the most successful vaccination programme in NHS history."
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