"I'm still Captain Tom … not SIR Tom": Fundraising hero strikes honorary title

National hero Captain Sir Tom Moore spent tea at Castle Hotel Windsor yesterday afternoon after being knighted by the Queen, calling the honor "something very special".

Captain Tom enjoyed tea and cake at the prestigious hotel and was accompanied by his family, which included his daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren, who were photographed to celebrate tea, cake and a glass or two of sparkling wine.

It is believed that he "politely" declined an afternoon tea offer with the Queen at Windsor Castle in favor of a celebration with his family.

He said today that despite his new title from Her Majesty, he still would rather be known as Captain Tom than Sir Tom.

"I'm still Captain Tom," he said, speaking to BBC Breakfast on Saturday. "I think it's easy. People will remember, just Captain Tom, or if we get a little closer, just Tom. & # 39;

ITV's royal editor, Chris Ship, tweeted yesterday: “My favorite news of the day: the queen had offered to host tea for Captain Tom Moore after his knighthood – but he already had other plans with his family. So politely declined !! & # 39;

When he described the events at Windsor Castle yesterday, he said that receiving the knighthood during the open air ceremony was a "wonderful day".

He added: “You can never imagine what it is like to be so close to the Queen, who is an absolute dream of a person.

When asked what it means for Her Majesty to rarely appear in public during the coronavirus crisis, he said: "We were very amused and to have this honor is really something very special."

“It was absolutely amazing that she bothered to come out on this one occasion. It was absolutely superb and it is impossible to give her all the thanks I feel for the honor she gave me when she came out in the sun yesterday. It was really a great day and she was really a wonderful person, ”he said.

But would he be willing to share what he, the Queen, discussed at their meeting, asked Charlie Stayt of BBC Breakfast, to whom Captain Tom said, "No, not at all. The Queen and I had a little private conversation and it will stay between the two of us forever. It was very nice of you to ask the question, but I will not give you an answer. & # 39;

Tom appeared at breakfast with his family, including his daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and grandson Benjie and granddaughter Georgia.

He continued that he did not intend to rest after being knighted and that he was "thrilled that this gave hope to people".

“I've been a very optimistic person all my life – I've always believed things would get better – and I tell everyone – tomorrow will be a good day.

“We are not entitled to a respite, because so many people are still so kindly interested and still contribute to our cause. No, rest is not in the order of things. I'm afraid you have to stay with me for a while now. & # 39;

Sir Moore was knighted by the Queen, who arrived straight from the wedding of her granddaughter Princess Beatrice in an unprecedented personal ceremony in recognition of his £ 33m fundraiser for the NHS.

The exceptional year of World War II veterans was crowned when Her Majesty described him as a knight with her father's sword, George VI, in a unique ceremony, which was held outdoors for the first time, to reduce the risk of coronavirus spread .

The 100-year-old former army officer and his family took place in the imposing backdrop of the square at Windsor Castle.

The Queen shielded much of the lock with the Duke of Edinburgh at her Berkshire home, and the event was her first personal royal engagement with a member of the public since March.

Her Majesty left the wedding of her granddaughter Prince Beatrice to stage the rare outdoor investment upon her arrival announced by the sound of bagpipes played by the Queen's Piper, Pipe Major Richard Grisdale, of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The queen spoke briefly to Sir Tom and then the family gathered for a chat with her. The queen said, "A hundred is a great age." Sir Tom replied, "You still have a long way to go." The Queen was also heard saying, "Anyway, it's a nice day. Good luck. & # 39;

Just a few hours earlier, the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and other close relatives attended the unannounced wedding of their granddaughter Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in a nearby chapel.

The queen, who was still wearing the same outfit she had worn at Beatrice's wedding, told Sir Tom and his family that the wedding was "very nice" and added: "My granddaughter married this morning, both Philip and I managed to get there – very nice. & # 39;

The Queen hosted the informal ceremony and talked to Sir Tom and his family for about five minutes. She praised the veterans, as she said: & # 39; Thank you, an amazing amount of money you have collected. & # 39;

Before the ceremony, Sir Tom was joking when he left his Bedfordshire home: "If I kneel I'll never get up again."

After the ceremony, Sir Tom paused for a refreshment in the castle and returned vigorously to the square, giving a series of interviews to the waiting press.

He said: "I am absolutely overwhelmed, this is such a high award, and to get it from Her Majesty – what more could anyone ask for? This was an absolutely great day for me. & # 39;

When asked what was better to collect more than £ 30 million or have the queen unlocked to give him the honor, Sir Tom replied, "The money is very useful, but you only have one queen and if You receive a message from the Queen, no value can be placed on it. & # 39;

The veteran continued: “Hitting the Queen was more than anyone could have expected. I never thought I would get so close to the Queen and get such a kind message from her that was really excellent, it was really excellent. & # 39;

Sir Tom accepted the media questions, but when asked to reveal the Queen's personal message, he kept his lips tight.

& # 39; No. It's between the queen and me, "he said." I don't think I'm going to tell anyone what she said. It was only the queen and I spoke privately and it was a great honor to be able to speak to everything. & # 39;

Sir Tom thanked his supporters who had helped him raise the massive sum for the NHS. He said the queen emphasized the following: "She mentioned the money and she thought it was a great sum to raise."

As he thought about the journey that led him from the local fundraiser to chivalry, he said, “If you think I was just Tom Moore about four months ago, now I am Sir Tom Moore, no one could have believed it It would happen to me.

"It is a great honor for me that this should happen and I am thrilled that this has happened. I thank all of you who have subscribed to the fund. I appreciate it very much and thank you all very much."

At the end of his press interviews, Sir quipped, "Is that all?" after being told that he had answered his last question.

And when a journalist said it was probably too hot for him in the sun, he looked down at his war medals and joked, "All this metal work reflects the heat."

Sir Tom answered one last question to reveal that he and the 94-year-old monarch had been talking about age: "You mentioned that I am 100 and I said to her," Well, you still have a long way to go . "So she's fine. & # 39;

The monarch was joined by the housekeeper, the retired Vice Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt, who bore the insignia of the knight bachelor, while one of the Queen's sides with the sword of King George VI. Was entrusted.

Sir Tom and his family – daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore, son-in-law Colin Ingram, grandson Benjie and granddaughter Georgia were waiting.

When the head of state chatted, she heard the former army captain, who celebrated his centenary a few months ago, saying, "One hundred is a great age."

The conversation was about national events, and the Coronavirus and the Queen, who had sought refuge with Philip in Windsor, asked, "Have you been locked up – isolated?"

The family of the fundraising hero described the queen's decision to give him his knighthood in a unique private ceremony as "the icing on the cake" of his successes.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: "Get up, Sir Tom! Earned so richly – you have inspired the whole nation with your fantastic fundraisers. & # 39;

Union leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: "Congratulations, Sir Tom! Thank you for your incredible fundraiser in this crisis and for inspiring so many. & # 39;

The 100-year-old World War II veteran was knighted after earning £ 33 million for healthcare charities.

Sir Tom won the hearts of the nation and donations came in after facing the challenge of walking 100 lengths of his Bedfordshire garden before his 100th birthday earlier this year.

While other investments that were due to take place at Buckingham Palace in London and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh in June and July were postponed, a special exception was made for Sir Tom.

The Prime Minister previously called Sir Tom a "point of light in our lives" when he thanked him for pulling the nation together through the coronavirus pandemic.

A post on Captain Sir Tom Moore's official Twitter account this morning showed a picture of him wearing his campaign medals before the ceremony.

It read: & # 39; Good morning! Ready and ready for a very special day. Thank you for all the good wishes that have been overwhelmed by your support as always. #Today will be a good day & # 39;

When he left his house, he spoke to reporters and said, "It's not everyone who gets a chance to see the queen, is it? It will be absolutely wonderful for me. & # 39;

His daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore said the Investitur was the icing on the cake of her father's amazing year.

Speaking to the BBC Breakfast before the ceremony, she said: "We will drive to Windsor at a leisurely pace – no noise, no falling, no trip, and we have a fairly regulated day ahead of us."

She added: "As we speak, a log is written and we will just do what we are told."

Sir Tom's grandson Benjie said: “I just want to thank absolutely everyone who supported us.

"We would not be in this situation without everyone on the other side of the camera. We thank our family for bringing us into this situation."

His granddaughter Georgia added: "We are so proud of him and I am really looking forward to this day."

Before the ceremony, Sir Tom said on his official Twitter account: "It will be a special day for me."

Buckingham Palace believes it is the first time that the "unique" format of its ceremony is taking place under the exceptional circumstances of the pandemic and the announcement of Sir Tom's individual chivalry through Downing Street.

Royal commentator Dickie Arbiter described the Queen's decision to knight Sir Tom in an individual ceremony as "very significant".

He added: "The Queen always said that she" must be seen to be believed ", so she is seen today – the last time we actually saw her physically was in June in the alternative" Trooping the Color "at Windsor Castle.

"To actually see the Queen in person – this is a step in the right direction, hopefully a step back to normal, but it will be a very slow step."

The Queen used the sword that belonged to her father, King George VI, and will present the insignia of the Knight Bachelor to Sir Tom.

Buckingham Palace said the investiture followed strict rules of social distancing.

Earlier in the day, Princess Beatrice married Italian real estate developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in a surprising secret ceremony at Windsor Castle.

The couple were supposed to tie the knot on May 29 at the Chapel Royal at St. James’s Palace. However, their ceremony was postponed due to Covid-19 and the palace did not announce a new date at the time.

Beatrice, 31, and Edo exchanged their vows today at 11 a.m. in the Royal Chapel of All Saints on the grounds of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's house at the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park. After the marriage, Beatrice becomes a stepmother of Edo's son Christopher, known as Wolfie.

The grandparents of the bride, the Queen (94) and the Duke of Edinburgh (99), who were both isolated at Windsor Castle, were present and appeared in an excellent mood when they left the service. The queen, who now saw six of her eight grandchildren getting married, looked mint green for the occasion.

It is believed that the bride's parents, Prince Andrew and the Duchess of York, as well as her sister Princess Eugenie (30) were among the approximately 20 guests present, with the guest list being severely reduced due to the permitted restrictions of Covid-19, up to a maximum of 30 People.

Lange über uns zu regieren: Die Königin markiert morgen 25.000 Tage auf dem Thron, nachdem sie mit 25 gekrönt wurde, um Großbritanniens dienstältester Monarch im Alter von 94 Jahren zu werden

Die Königin wird morgen 25.000 Tage regiert haben und einen weiteren Meilenstein als am längsten amtierende Monarchin der Nation überschritten haben.

Elizabeth II. Wurde am 6. Februar 1952 nach dem Tod ihres Vaters, König George VI., Als sie 25 Jahre alt war, souverän.

Die Königin erreichte 1977 ihr Silberjubiläum, 2002 das Goldene und 2012 das Diamantjubiläum.

Und die 94-Jährige ist jetzt weniger als zwei Jahre davon entfernt, 2022 ihr Platin-Jubiläum zu feiern – 70 Jahre auf dem Thron.

Die Königin war eine Figur der Kontinuität, als sich ihr Land im 20. Jahrhundert, im Millennium und im 21. Jahrhundert inmitten neuer technologischer und sozialer Fortschritte und einer Reihe britischer Regierungen veränderte.

Während der sieben Jahrzehnte ihrer Regierungszeit ist der Mann auf dem Mond gelandet, Großbritannien hat seine erste, dann die zweite Premierministerin, das Internet wurde erfunden und die Homo-Ehe wurde in Großbritannien legalisiert.

The public has looked to the Queen in times of tragedy – the September 11 terror attacks, the London bombings, the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and more recently during the coronavirus crisis.

As well as being the longest-reigning monarch in British history, the Queen is also the longest still-serving sovereign and wealthiest Queen in the world, and the oldest British monarch.

When she became the country's longest-serving monarch in 2015, she thanked the nation for its kind messages, but admitted that the royal record was, 'not one to which I have ever aspired'.

'Inevitably a long life can pass by many milestones. My own is no exception,' she remarked.

The Queen will be at Windsor Castle with the Duke of Edinburgh and the 'HMS Bubble' of staff who have been running the couple's reduced household.

She will have been monarch for 68 years, five months and 12 days by July 18, and in 2015 overtook the record of 23,226 days, 16 hours and some 30 minutes set by her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria.

But Her Majesty's approach to having been on the throne for 25,000 days will undoubtedly be a matter-of-fact one, with the milestone unlikely to be on her radar. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: 'The Queen is spending the day privately.'

In March, the Queen became the fourth longest-serving monarch today, surpassing Mayan ruler Pakal the Great.

By March 11, Her Majesty had been on the throne for 68 years and 34 days, while K'inich Janaab Pakal ruled the Maya city state of Palenque for 68 years and 33 days before his death in 683AD.

Pakal the Great is thought to have ascended to the throne at the age of 12- years-old and during his rule managed to expand Palenque's power in the western Maya states.

The Mayan civilisation reached its peak between 250 and 900 AD, when it ruled large swathes of what is now southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras.

Meanwhile, just ahead of the British monarch is Johann II of Liechtenstein, who ruled from 1858 and 1929.

This is followed by Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.

King Bhumibol reigned from 1946 until his death in October 2016 and was the world's longest living reigning monarch before the Queen.

Holding on to the top spot is Louis XIV of France, with an impressive 72-year and 110-day reign.

Known as Louis the Great, the French monarch became King at the age of four following the death of his father Louis XIII, and ruled from 14 May 1643 to 1 September 1715.

The Queen, 94, has been seen riding at Windsor throughout lockdown and celebrated both her actual and official birthdays, as well as the Duke of Edinburgh turning 99.

The Queen said of the global Covid-19 pandemic: 'While we have faced challenges before, this one is different.'

She also delivered two rare televised addresses to the nation just weeks apart during lockdown, reassuring the country that the virus would be overcome, telling those in isolation: 'We will meet again.'

In another speech to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, she told how the message at the end of the war in Europe was 'never give up, never despair'.