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Hero centenarian Captain Tom to be knighted by the Queen in his own personal open-air ceremony

File photo dated 16/04/20 of Captain Tom Moore, at his home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, who is to be knighted by the Queen in his own unique personal open-air ceremony at Windsor Castle on Friday. PA Photo. Issue date: Wednesday July 15, 2020. The 100-year-old Second World War veteran will travel to the historic Berkshire royal residence with members of his family for the special outdoor investiture. See PA story ROYAL Moore. Photo credit should read: Joe Giddens/PA Wire - Joe Giddens/PA Wire
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They are both veterans of a generation that has always put duty first.

Now, two stalwarts of the coronavirus crisis – the Queen, and Captain Sir Tom Moore – will finally meet when Her Majesty confers a knighthood on the war hero at Windsor Castle.

In her first official engagement with members of the public since lockdown began, the 94-year-old monarch will bestow the honour on the 100-year-old at an unprecedented investiture on Friday.

It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a special nomination for the Army officer to be knighted in May after he raised nearly £33 million for NHS charities.

Capt Sir Tom said he "could never have imagined this would happen" and that it would be "the most special of days".

Royal investitures were put on hold during the coronavirus pandemic with those scheduled to take place at Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh in June and July postponed.

However, the Queen, who has been self-isolating with Prince Philip at Windsor since March 19, has made a special exception for Capt Sir Tom and will carry out the private ceremony in person.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: "On occasion, the Queen invests individuals privately during audiences.

A happy birthday message is displayed on the big screen in Piccadilly Circus for army veteran Captain Tom Moore on his 100th birthday, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in London, Britain, April 30, 2020. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo - Toby Melville/Reuters
A happy birthday message is displayed on the big screen in Piccadilly Circus for army veteran Captain Tom Moore on his 100th birthday, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in London, Britain, April 30, 2020. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo - Toby Melville/Reuters

"Captain Sir Tom Moore's knighthood was, exceptionally, announced individually by the Prime Minister, outside of the usual announcements of the Queen's Birthday Honours and the New Year Honours.

"Captain Sir Tom and his family were hopeful the investiture could take place in a timely fashion and we are pleased it has been possible on this occasion."

The open-air ceremony will be staged in the castle's quadrangle, where a military ceremony was held for the Queen's official birthday in June. Joining Captain Sir Tom for the ceremony will be his daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore, son-in-law Colin Ingram, grandson Benji and granddaughter Georgia. The public has been advised to stay away in accordance with the social distancing guidelines around large gatherings.

The former managing director, who served in Burma during the Second World War, had initially set out to raise £1,000 for the NHS by walking laps of the 82ft (25m) loop in his garden in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire.

But having captured hearts around the world, he eventually raised £32,794,701 from more than one and a half million supporters.

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The Queen will use the sword that belonged to her father, George VI, and will present him with the insignia of Knight Bachelor.

In a message on his Twitter account, Capt Sir Tom said: "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."

His words were followed with the hashtag #FridayWillBeAGoodDay.