Tuesday saw a rather unusual ceremony at Buckingham Palace: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh received their Long Service and Good Conduct medals for their roles in the Armed Forces.
Her Majesty was awarded three medals by Lieutenant General Richard Nugee, the Chief of Defence People, for her 64 years of service as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces; a responsibility which automatically falls to the Sovereign. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Long Service award featured six bars on the ribbon, to recognise his 75 years in service.
To qualify for the medal, officers must have served in the Regular Army for 15 years, free and clear of any disciplinary entry on their records.
The Queen’s Army (left), naval (centre) and RAF long service and good conduct medals on the right.
The award came as new rules mean that recipients of the medals now includes those ranked as military officers, which The Queen and Prince Philip are in various positions.
Going back to William IV’s reign in 1830, the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal is the oldest award being handed out. “It is therefore right to make these changes and to be able to more fully recognise those who commit themselves to a career serving our country in the Armed Forces,” said Defence Secretary Michael Fallon.
Outgoing Defence Services Secretary, Nugee, said: “It was the greatest honour to present our Commander in Chief and The Duke of Edinburgh with medals that recognise their ceaseless long Service in the Armed Forces.”
Both Her Majesty and Prince Philip seemed amused by the awards, after their long involvement with the forces only just being recognised with the new rules: normally, they are the ones handing out awards and recognising such service.
What do you think to the medals?
