The Queen shocks guests with unexpected sense of humour: "You're still alive?"
- Replies 1
Despite ongoing health concerns for months, the Queen appeared to be in good spirits—and even cracked a surprise joke—during a recent engagement.
The Queen has extended invitations to health leaders from all over the world, as well as the nurses who administered and received the first Covid-19 vaccinations, so that they may accept the George Cross award on behalf of their respective nations.
The George Cross is awarded in recognition of "acts of the greatest heroism or courage in the face of extreme danger."
This year's George Cross honours employees for their "courage, compassion, and dedication" during the pandemic and their 74 years of public service. It was presented exactly one week after the National Health Service's (NHS) birthday.
The Queen conversing with May Parsons, a nurse, and Amanda Pritchard, the chief executive officer of NHS England. Credit: Reuters.
The monarch and Prince Charles were present in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle along with business leaders and healthcare professionals from the four home countries, who were each presented with a medal on a cushion.
One of them was named May Parsons, and she was the nurse who gave Maggie Keenan the world's first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine outside of a clinical trial on December 8, 2020, in the city of Coventry.
The 96-year-old monarch then surprisingly delighted her audience by making a joke with the nurse about her historic first by asking, "You're still alive?"
The nurse chuckled in response as she told the Queen, "We're terribly, terribly proud of the vaccination roll-out, it was so successful."
"Yes, it was amazing," Her Majesty replied.
When the Queen asked the women what they planned to do with the medal, NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard said it would go on a tour of the NHS before finding a "more permanent" home.
Pritchard even jokingly added, "I've been told I'm not allowed to take it in my handbag!" The Queen chuckled in response and discouraged her not to stash it in her purse.
Judith Paget, the CEO of NHS Wales, and Dr Ami Jones, a consultant in intensive care with the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and a reserve Army officer, were among the other guests.
At the small ceremony, the Queen was accompanied by the Prince of Wales. Credit: Reuters.
As a result of the Queen's recent mobility issues, Buckingham Palace revised the Queen's duties to reduce her activities. For the first time in at least ten years, Her Majesty's "official" jobs were changed in the annual Sovereign Grant report from the palace.
According to The Telegraph, the Queen will no longer be required by a "constitutional convention" to attend certain events like the State Opening of Parliament.
More emphasis is placed on assisting the larger royal family in the updated job description for Her Majesty.
According to a source who spoke with The Telegraph, the change in question is not a "drastic" one but rather a clear and simple update.
Her Majesty, it turns out, is not only the Queen of the United Kingdom but also the Queen of Comedy! She has a great sense of humour, enjoys telling jokes, and has even taken part in a few Palace gags as well.
See more of them in the video below:
Credit: OSSA.
The Queen has extended invitations to health leaders from all over the world, as well as the nurses who administered and received the first Covid-19 vaccinations, so that they may accept the George Cross award on behalf of their respective nations.
The George Cross is awarded in recognition of "acts of the greatest heroism or courage in the face of extreme danger."
This year's George Cross honours employees for their "courage, compassion, and dedication" during the pandemic and their 74 years of public service. It was presented exactly one week after the National Health Service's (NHS) birthday.
The Queen conversing with May Parsons, a nurse, and Amanda Pritchard, the chief executive officer of NHS England. Credit: Reuters.
The monarch and Prince Charles were present in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle along with business leaders and healthcare professionals from the four home countries, who were each presented with a medal on a cushion.
One of them was named May Parsons, and she was the nurse who gave Maggie Keenan the world's first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine outside of a clinical trial on December 8, 2020, in the city of Coventry.
The 96-year-old monarch then surprisingly delighted her audience by making a joke with the nurse about her historic first by asking, "You're still alive?"
The nurse chuckled in response as she told the Queen, "We're terribly, terribly proud of the vaccination roll-out, it was so successful."
"Yes, it was amazing," Her Majesty replied.
When the Queen asked the women what they planned to do with the medal, NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard said it would go on a tour of the NHS before finding a "more permanent" home.
Pritchard even jokingly added, "I've been told I'm not allowed to take it in my handbag!" The Queen chuckled in response and discouraged her not to stash it in her purse.
Judith Paget, the CEO of NHS Wales, and Dr Ami Jones, a consultant in intensive care with the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and a reserve Army officer, were among the other guests.
At the small ceremony, the Queen was accompanied by the Prince of Wales. Credit: Reuters.
As a result of the Queen's recent mobility issues, Buckingham Palace revised the Queen's duties to reduce her activities. For the first time in at least ten years, Her Majesty's "official" jobs were changed in the annual Sovereign Grant report from the palace.
According to The Telegraph, the Queen will no longer be required by a "constitutional convention" to attend certain events like the State Opening of Parliament.
More emphasis is placed on assisting the larger royal family in the updated job description for Her Majesty.
According to a source who spoke with The Telegraph, the change in question is not a "drastic" one but rather a clear and simple update.
Her Majesty, it turns out, is not only the Queen of the United Kingdom but also the Queen of Comedy! She has a great sense of humour, enjoys telling jokes, and has even taken part in a few Palace gags as well.
See more of them in the video below:
Credit: OSSA.
.png){kind=icon}
