The 96-year-old monarch presented the George Cross to representatives of the NHS on Tuesday during an audience at Windsor Castle.
The queen, who suffers from ongoing mobility problems, looked radiant in a floral dress and was not carrying a cane.
The head of state was accompanied by Prince Charles to the public at her Berkshire residence.
The Queen presented the honor to representatives from Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland in recognition of the “courage, compassion and dedication” of the NHS during the Covid pandemic.
Guests included Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of NHS England and her colleagues from NHS Scotland and NHS Wales – Caroline Lamb and Judith Paget respectively – and Peter May, Permanent Secretary to the Department of Health and Chief Executive of Health and Social Care Northern Ireland .
They were joined by a frontline worker from each of the home countries, including May Parsons, the nurse who delivered the world’s first coronavirus vaccine outside of clinical trials to Maggie Keenan on December 8, 2020.
The Queen’s award of the George Cross is on the advice of the George Cross Committee and the Prime Minister.
This is only the third time it has been awarded to a collective body, country or organization, rather than to an individual.
In a message sent to Windsor Castle newspaper last July, on the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the NHS, the Queen wrote: “It is with great pleasure, on behalf of a grateful nation, that I award the George Cross to the National UK health services.
“This award recognizes all NHS staff, past and present, across all disciplines and all four countries.
“For more than seven decades, and especially in recent times, you have supported the people of our country with courage, compassion and dedication and have displayed the highest standards of public service.
“You have our lasting thanks and sincere appreciation.”
It comes after the Queen has gathered the land with her address to the nation at the first lockdown.
Speaking in April 2020, the monarch thanked those who stayed at home, as well as NHS staff and others working in essential roles.
Referring to Dame Vera Lynn’s World War II song We’ll Meet Again, she said: “We should take comfort in the fact that while we may have more to endure, better days will return: We’ll be with our friends again. we will be with our families again; we will meet again.”
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