Leading officials in the fight against the pandemic in the United Kingdom were honored on Friday 31 December by Queen Elizabeth II, while actor Daniel Craig received the same decoration as that of James Bond he plays in the cinema .
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A well-known figure to the British whom he regularly informs about the health crisis at press conferences, the Chief Medical Officer for England, Chris Whitty, has been promoted to Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, awarded to military and officials. Patrick Vallance, the government's scientific adviser, received the same honor, while other leading players in the fight against the coronavirus, such as the chief medical officers of Scotland and Wales and the deputy chief medical officer for England, Jonathan Van Tam, were made Knights or Lady of the Order of the British Empire. One of the countries in Europe most affected by the pandemic, with more than 148,000 deaths and an explosion of contaminations due to the Omicron variant,the United Kingdom is engaged in a vast vaccine booster campaign to try to curb the virus.
1278 distinguished people
Culturally, actor Daniel Craig, 53, was made a companion of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, like the famous spy he plays on the big screen, for services rendered to the industry. film and theater. "
Dying Can Wait
", the latest installment in the adventures of James Bond, the release of which this year had been delayed due to the pandemic, also marks Daniel Craig's final participation in the saga. On the occasion of the release of the film, very successful at the box office, the Royal Navy had appointed the actor honorary commander, the same rank as his character. He has donned Agent 007's costume five times since "
Casino Royale
" in 2006. Franchise producer Barbara Broccoli has been made a Commander of theOrder of the British Empire.
In total, the Queen recognized 1,278 people, including scientists, athletes, artists, fundraisers - including an 11-year-old boy - and anonymous, whose contribution has been essential for their community or country. , or during the pandemic.
According to the government, nearly one in five distinctions is linked to Covid-19.
These royal honors are given twice a year, for the New Year and on the occasion of the Queen's official birthday, celebrated in June despite being born on April 21, 1926.