King to host inaugural presentation ceremony for Elizabeth Emblems

The King will present the first Elizabeth Emblems to family members of former firefighters, police officers and other public servants who have died in the line of duty.

Charles will host the inaugural presentation ceremony at Windsor Castle in recognition of the sacrifices of 38 people who lost their lives serving their communities.

Among the recipients will be the loved ones of police officer Andrew Harper, who was killed while responding to a bike theft by three teenagers in Berkshire in August 2019, while serving with Thames Valley Police.

“While families will never be able to replace their loved ones, the Elizabeth Emblem pays tribute to the sacrifice they have made.”

The Emblem is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who died in action or as a result of a terrorist attack.

Its design features a rosemary wreath, a traditional symbol of remembrance, surrounding a Tudor Crown and the inscription “For A Life Given In Service”.

Ms Hughes, 23, and Ms Bone, 32, died in a gun and grenade attack while responding to a 999 call in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

Following a campaign by the fathers of the two police officers, Bryn Hughes and Paul Bone, it was announced earlier this year that the emblem would be awarded to the next of kin of police officers, firefighters and other public servants.

Mr Bone said he would like their daughters to be remembered as “happy, bubbly public servants”, adding “They were doing their job happily, tried to help people – on that day it just went all wrong.”