Awarded as a mark of recognition to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the course of undertaking public service, the introduction of The Elizabeth Emblem has been announced. Here’s what you need to know.

What is The Elizabeth Emblem?

Introduced on 9 March 2024, The Elizabeth Emblem is a commemorative emblem as a mark of recognition for those who lost their lives in the course of undertaking eligible public service. 

The design of the emblem incorporates a rosemary wreath, a traditional symbol of remembrance, surrounding the Tudor Crown. It will be inscribed ‘For A Life Given In Service’ and will have the name of the person to be commemorated inscribed on the reverse of the emblem.

The Emblem will include a pin to allow the award to be worn by the next of kin of the deceased. The grant of The Elizabeth Emblem will be accompanied by a miniature, and either may be worn by the recipient at that person’s discretion.

The Emblem will carry no rights to the use of post-nominal letters.

Who is eligible for The Elizabeth Emblem?

A person will be eligible to be commemorated with The Elizabeth Emblem if they died in the course of undertaking eligible public service. Public service is defined as:

• employment in a role by, on behalf of, or formally funded by, an eligible body
• working - either in a paid or voluntary capacity - at the behest of an eligible body, including any person who has a formal contract or agreement to work for the eligible body or who has been ordered to provide a service
• working as part of emergency services personnel in a paid or voluntary capacity, dealing with emergencies either directly or indirectly as part of their conditions of service

The death of the person to be commemorated will need to have been directly attributable to the public service in question. This will include:

• where the death occurred as a direct result of action being taken in the course of public service
• where the person has been targeted as a result of their public service role or action, whether on or off duty
• where the person has died as a result of an operational call out, whether routine or emergency, if responding to the call resulted in their death
• where the person died as a result of acting to assist in an emergency situation for which they were trained, even if formally not on duty at the time
• where the person died as a result of illness or injury attributed directly to qualifying service

All nationalities are eligible for The Elizabeth Emblem, and the death must have occurred on or after 1st January 1948 (or have taken place in Palestine between 27 September 1945 and 31 December 1947).

A person will not be eligible to be commemorated by The Elizabeth Emblem if they are eligible to be commemorated by the granting of The Elizabeth Cross.

Who will receive The Elizabeth Emblem?

The person eligible to receive The Elizabeth Emblem will be the person recorded to be the next of kin, or if no such record exists, the first person who is still alive according to the rules of intestacy.

The next of kin will receive:

• The Elizabeth Emblem
• a Memorial Scroll inscribed with the name of the person to be commemorated by the granting of The Elizabeth Emblem

The Elizabeth Emblem will be accompanied by a miniature. Both The Elizabeth Emblem and the miniature may be worn by the recipient at that person’s discretion. The Emblem is not a medal and should not be worn directly with other medals.

An additional person who is not recorded as the next of kin may be eligible for an additional Memorial Scroll only (not The Elizabeth Emblem itself), if they are:

• a parent of the deceased person
• the spouse or partner of the deceased person or someone who had a substantive relationship with them

How do you apply for The Elizabeth Emblem?

Applications can be submitted by completing The Elizabeth Emblem application form, which can be found on GOV.UK.

The following information must be provided:

1. Details of the Applicant (the person who is next of kin)

2. Details of the Deceased (the person who died)

3. Circumstances of death. This should include details about how the deceased person died. 

4. Supporting documentation. This may include:

• Proof of the deceased person’s employment or service with an organisation in scope of recognition.
• A copy of the deceased person’s death certificate.
• Where available, a copy of the relevant page of the deceased person’s will where this records the next of kin. Alternative documentation which formally records the next of kin can be provided.
• Where relevant, a copy of a coroner’s or other official’s report where an inquest or equivalent investigation was held.
• Any relevant investigation or police reports.
• Any relevant media articles reporting about the death, or other documents that help prove eligibility for The Elizabeth Emblem.

It is essential to wait until all legal proceedings (including inquests) are complete before submitting an application.

Where are recipients of The Elizabeth Emblem announced?

The George Cross Committee will assess all applications before a recommendation is made to the Prime Minister and HM The King. It may take several months for a case to be considered and an award approved, presented and published.

Awards will be announced in The Gazette and on GOV.UK.

Further information about The Elizabeth Emblem can be obtained from the Honours and Appointments Secretariat in the Cabinet Office. Please email elizabethemblem@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Celebrate your honour with a commemorative edition

If you or a loved one have been honoured by the King or mentioned in despatches, The Gazette is available to buy as a personalised commemorative edition. Each pack contains a complete edition of The Gazette from the day the honour was published.

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See also

Birthday and New Year Honours lists (1937 to 2024)

The Queen's Anniversary Prizes 2022-2024

New Humanitarian Medal announced

What are the intestacy rules in England and Wales?

Find out more

The Elizabeth Emblem - application guidance and eligibility (GOV.UK)

Images

GOV.UK

Publication date

17 April 2024

Any opinion expressed in this article is that of the author and the author alone, and does not necessarily represent that of The Gazette.