The Queen will send a special message to the family of Captain Sir Tom Moore after his daughters confirmed the NHS hero’s death from coronavirus today. Sir Tom captured hearts around the world over his valiant work raising a total of £32.7million for NHS Charities Together at the beginning of the pandemic. The Queen “very much enjoyed” meeting Sir Tom and recognising the “inspiration” the World War 2 veteran sparked around the world.
Buckingham Palace said: “The Queen is sending a private message of condolence to the family of Captain Sir Tom Moore. Her Majesty very much enjoyed meeting Cpt Sir Tom and his family at Windsor last year.”
“Her thoughts, and those of the Royal Family, are with them, recognising the inspiration he provided for the whole nation and others across the world.”
The World War 2 veteran had hoped to raise £1,000 walking 100 laps of his garden for NHS Charities before his 100th birthday during the first national lockdown in April but after capturing hearts around the world Sir Tom smashed his initial target as donations flooded in.
Sir Tom was knighted by the Queen in July last year.
On Sunday his daughters, Hannah and Lucy confirmed their father had been diagnosed with COVID-19 last week.
Sir Tom had also battled pneumonia earlier this month and as a result, had been unable to get a Covid vaccine.
Announcing the sad news of his death, his daughters Hannah and Lucy said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear father, Captain Sir Tom Moore.
“We are so grateful that we were with him during the last hours of his life; Hannah, Benjie and Georgia by his bedside and Lucy on FaceTime.
“We spent hours chatting to him, reminiscing about our childhood and our wonderful mother. We shared laughter and tears together.
“The last year of our father’s life was nothing short of remarkable. He was rejuvenated and experienced things he’d only ever dreamed of.”
The Queen’s tribute was echoed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson who said Captain Sir Tom Moore “became not just a national inspiration but a beacon of hope for the world” and was a “hero in the truest sense of the word”.
More to follow…