On 9 March 2024, the Government announced the introduction of The Elizabeth Emblem. This commemorative emblem is awarded as a mark of recognition to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the course of undertaking eligible public service.
Philip has welcomed a new award for UK emergency service workers who die in the line of duty after a campaign led by the Police Federation and the father of a murdered police officer.
Named after the late Queen, the Elizabeth Emblem will be given to the families of public servants.
Bryn Hughes, whose daughter PC Nicola Hughes was killed in an ambush in 2012, has been calling for two years for an award to recognise those sacrifices. NHS workers who died during the pandemic will also be eligible, as well as all emergency workers.
Philip said "I met with Bryn and the Police Federation and have supported this campaign from the very start. I am delighted that the government have listened and acted to provide this important recognition for the families of those who gave their lives to serve us.
In the Bradford district, we know only too well the ultimate sacrifices some have made in the line of duty. Sharon Beshenivsky, fatally shot in 2005 after attending an alarm at a travel agents on Morley Street in the city, will always be in our thoughts as will all officers killed doing their job.
Just in the last 5 years alone there have been the tragic deaths of PC Keith Palmer who was stabbed outside Parliament in a terrorist attack in 2017 and in the same year PC Gareth Browning died from injuries sustained by a suspect vehicle he was trying to stop 4 years earlier. There has also been the shocking death of PC Andrew Harper in Berkshire in 2019 when he was dragged along a road by a car whilst investigating a burglary and in 2020 Sergeant Matt Ratana was shot dead whilst detaining a man in a police custody centre in Croydon".
Philip added "Every day emergency workers put their lives on the line because of their commitment to public service. I am extremely grateful to them for what they do, and we should never take that service for granted. Nothing can ever bring back their loved ones, but I know from speaking to some of the families how much this medal will mean to them to give them the thanks and recognition of all of us"