He made global headlines for walking 100 laps of his back garden, but 100-year-old Tom Moore isn’t done with proving that age is nothing but a number.
The fundraising hero, who was hailed in the midst of lockdown in the UK for garnering more than AUD $50 million for the NHS, is about to receive the ultimate honour – a much deserved knighthood.
And in another significant addition, the Queen herself is making sure she can do it in the flesh.
Despite being under a strict lockdown in the UK and remaining isolated at Windsor Castle for the interim, the 94-year-old Monarch is finally about to make her first in-person engagement – and it couldn’t be more fitting.
In a statement from the Palace, it was revealed the Queen would confer the Honour of Knighthood on Captain Sir Thomas Moore at an Investiture at Windsor Castle on Friday, July 17.
.jpg?resize=380%2C285)
The Palace confirmed Tom would be accompanied by his family for the big moment.
The Queen will give Captain Tom Moore his Knighthood in person this coming Friday.
(Twitter)The statement added: “During the ceremony, The Queen will use the sword that belonged to her father, George VI and will award Captain Sir Thomas Moore with the insignia of Knight Bachelor.”
There will also be strict social distancing measures in place, with the entire ceremony to take place within the confines of Windsor Castle.
No members of the public will be allowed to attend, nor will they be able to see anything outside of the castle.
“Members of the public are asked not to attend Windsor town centre or gather in the hope of seeing any of the ceremony, which will not be visible from any external viewpoint,” the Palace explained.
Up until now, the Queen has been taking part in engagements via video chats.
(Buckingham Palace)Tom, a war veteran, went viral back in April when he began a fundraising drive for NHS staff, whom he labelled as “national heroes”, promising to walk 10 laps of his garden per day.
The pledge almost instantly gained momentum, and within 24 hours, he had hit his £1,000 target.
As the weeks went by, Tom’s fund grew and grew, and before he knew it, he was in the millions.
When his Knighthood was announced, Tom said he was “overwhelmed” with the gesture.
“Never for one moment could I have imagined I would be awarded with such a great honour,” he said.
“This started as something small and I’ve been overwhelmed by the gratitude and love from the British public and beyond. We must take this opportunity to recognise our frontline heroes of the National Health Service who put their lives at risk every day to keep us safe.”
Captain Tom was “overwhelmed” by the Queen’s gesture.
(Twitter)When he found out he was meeting the Queen in person for his Knighting ceremony, Tom shared on his official Twitter account: “I could never have imagined this would happen to me.
“It is such a huge honour and I am very much looking forward to meeting Her Majesty The Queen. It is going to be the most special of days for me’.”
Given it will mark one of the first times we see the Queen back in action post lockdown, and with a hailed national hero at that, we think it might just be a special moment for everyone.
WATCH: The Queen’s historic speech to the nation amid COVID-19:
