In the midst of the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic, Queen Elizabeth II honored the British NHS with a special award.
Windsor - With the George Cross, the monarch gave the institution the highest civilian honor for bravery, as the British news agency PA reported on Monday. The Queen thanked the NHS (National Health Service) workers on the 73rd anniversary of the service. "For more than seven decades you have supported the people of our country with courage, passion and dedication and demonstrated the highest standards of public service," wrote the Queen in a handwritten tribute.
NHS chief Simon Stevens, a member of the House of Lords from Tuesday, said the award recognizes the "ability, compassion and strength" of NHS workers facing "the worst pandemic in a century and the greatest challenge this country faces." has faced since World War II, "would have responded. It is only the third time that the George Cross has been awarded to a group - previously the residents of Malta had received the award in 1942 and the Northern Irish police in 1999.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Prince William, among others, took part in a thanksgiving service for the NHS in St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
The Queen's grandson also wanted to host a reception in honor of the NHS workers at Buckingham Palace that afternoon.
His wife Duchess Kate had to cancel the appointments because she was in contact with a person who tested positive for Corona and has now isolated herself for days.
Last winter, the chronically underfunded NHS had reached its limits due to the pandemic.
Ambulances sometimes had to wait for hours before they could bring patients to the hospitals.
The British are emotionally attached to their health system.
During the peak of the pandemic, "Thanks NHS" posters or other dedications could be read on many houses.
(dpa)