Charity champion Captain Tom Moore to be knighted in private ceremony

In May, it was announced that Captain Sir Tom was to be knighted
In May, it was announced that Captain Sir Tom was to be knighted Credit: PA

Fundraising hero Captain Sir Tom Moore is to be knighted by the Queen at Windsor Castle on Friday.

The 100-year-old raised almost £33m for NHS charities by walking laps of his garden in Marston Moretaine in Bedfordshire.

Having initially set a target of raising £1,000, Captain Sir Tom quickly became a household name and captured the hearts of the nation.In recognition of his fundraising efforts, Captain Tom was promoted to honorary colonel of Army Foundation College in Harrogate by his former army unit, the Yorkshire Regiment.

The 100-year-old veteran will be joined by members of his family during the special ceremony Credit: PA

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, royal investitures have been put on hold, with those that were scheduled to take place at Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in June and July postponed.

The Queen will knight Captain Sir Tom at Windsor Castle in his own private ceremony.  

His family will be with him as the Her Majesty knights the centenarian with the sword that belonged to her father George VI, Buckingham Palace said.

Members of the public are being asked not to visit Windsor and try and view the proceedings.

Tens of thousands of birthday cards for Captain Tom in the hall of Bedford School. Credit: PA

Following the announcement in May, Captain Sir Tom said it was an "honour" to be knighted.

"I am absolutely thrilled that her majesty has chosen that poor little me would be knighted, it really is a great honour", he said.

"I like the sound of Sir Thomas Moore. I've been thinking, how do you go and see the Queen in a wheelchair?

"And I thought if I have to get down on my knee, I'll never get up. I thought maybe because she and I get on well, she'll give me a hand but that's not according to the book."