Latest News King Charles awards first Elizabeth Emblems to emergency staff who died in line of duty

The King awarded the first batch of honours this morning, honouring 38 former public servants who died between 1948 and 2019.

King Charlespresented the first Elizabeth Emblems this afternoon, a new honour that recognises former firefighters, police officers, and other public servants who died in the line of duty, in an emotional ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Charles, 76, held the special ceremony shortly after conducting an Investiture Ceremony and gave the award to the next of kin of the 38 people recognised for their sacrifice.

Guests were told that just before the poignant ceremony, the monarch sat and reviewed every person who was being posthumously honoured so that he was aware of each individual situation.

Among those honoured, were PC Andrew Harper, who was dragged to his death by a getaway car in 2019, and Rebecca Dykes, the only British diplomat killed in public service since records began.

Lissie Harper successfully campaigned for Harper’s Law, to give mandatory life sentences to the killers of emergency service workers.

The Elizabeth Emblem, named in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II, was announced earlier this year.

It is a silver oval that incorporates a rosemary wreath—a traditional symbol of remembrance—and the Tudor Crown.
It bears the inscription “For a Life Given in Service” and will have the name of the person it commemorates on the reverse.

The King awarded the first batch of honours this morning, honouring 38 former public servants who died between 1948 and 2019, including 24 police officers, 12 firefighters, a nursing officer, and a diplomat.

Charles arrived in the State Dining Room to the sound of a string quartet before making his way round the room and presenting emblems to 15 of the families gathered.