William & Kate toast as the coronation’s 400,000-strong staff set to get a King’s ‘thank you’ gong
WILLIAM and Kate toasted the coronation in a pub yesterday – it turns out 400,000 hard-working heroes will receive a ‘thank you’ medal from the King.
The sun may reveal that the emergency services, the armed forces and royal staff will be among those to receive the coronation gong.
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The Prince and Princess of Wales pulled beers during a surprise lunchtime visit to The Dog and Duck in Soho, central London, with William taking turns bartending.
The new medal will be awarded to prison officers, members of the Royal Household, living bearers of the George and Victoria Crosses, rescue workers, members of the armed forces, choirboys and St John Ambulance staff.
You must have been employed for five years or more.
But everyone working on the coronation — including the tens of thousands of military on parade, volunteers and police officers — will also receive the medal regardless of length of service.
It comes after months of wrangling over costs and eligibility requirements.
The 400,000 recipients easily surpass the 129,051 who received a medal for Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953.
The design of the new gong features a portrait of the king and queen on the front.
On the reverse is a version of the Royal Cypher, a laurel wreath and the coronation date 6th May 2023.
The ribbon consists of red, blue and white stripes.
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said: “The coronation would not be possible without the dedication and selfless service of our armed forces and other public officials.
“This medal is a fitting recognition of their efforts and a thank you from the nation. It will be worn with pride for years to come.”
