Captain Sir Tom Moore was knighted by the Queen earlier today in a private ceremony.
The 100-year-old fundraising hero, who is also a Second World War veteran, was given the honour (opens in new tab) after he raised almost £33million for the NHS over the coronavirus lockdown when he challenged himself to walk 100 lengths of his garden.
Sir Tom set himself the challenge to raise money for the NHS as it struggled during the coronavirus, and aimed to complete the 100 lengths before reaching his milestone 100th birthday earlier this year in April (opens in new tab).
After being nominated for an award by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Sir Tom has now been given a knighthood honour by Queen Elizabeth II (opens in new tab).
While investitures are usually held at Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, the Queen held a special ceremony today for Sir Tom at Windsor Castle.
All other ceremonies that were set to take place in June and July have been postponed due to the coronavirus lockdown, however the monarch made a unique exception for the World War II veteran.
Sir Tom's daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, son-in-law Colin Ingram, grandson Benjie and granddaughter Georgia all attended the special ceremony, for which the Queen used a special sword that belonged to her father George VI.
‘The Queen walks out of Windsor castle to meet @captaintommoore and his family,’ wrote Sky News correspondent Rhiannon Mills on her Twitter feed.
‘He’s being presented with his knighthood for his incredible fundraising efforts. Have to say it feels very poignant to be able to watch this special moment’.
The Queen is said to have praised Sir Tom, telling him, "Thank you so much, an amazing amount of money you raised."
The Captain said told BBC that it was "the most special of days for me,” with his daughter adding, "It is just the most sensational day, of all of the things Tom's been honoured by this is truly the icing on the cake."
Congratulations Sir Tom on the incredible honour!
