Health leaders from the four UK nations were awarded the medal at a small ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday.

It is only the third time ever that a George Cross has been awarded to an organisation rather than an individual.

Joining the event was May Parsons, the nurse who delivered the world's first vaccine outside of clinical trials on 8 December 2020.

The Queen said the vaccine effort which began on that day was "amazing" as she celebrated the achievements of the NHS.

The investiture also saw Olympic diver Tom Daley presented with his OBE medal and personal finance expert Martin Lewis his CBE.

Tom Daley next to his husband Dustin Lance Black with his OBE

Wearing a day dress and moving with the aid of a walking stick, Her Majesty said it was "tremendous" that tens of millions of people in the UK had taken up the jab.

NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard paid tribute to those who worked on the front line and said the vaccine programme saved hundreds of thousands of lives.

She told the Queen that the medal will go on a tour of the NHS before a permanent home is found.

The Queen was joined by the Prince of Wales at the small ceremony

The Queen awarding the George Cross to Judith Paget, chief executive of NHS Wales, and Dr Ami Jones

Lt Col Michael Vernon, comptroller of the Lord Chamberlain's office with responsibility for organising ceremonial events, said: "This award recognises all NHS staff, past and present, across all disciplines and all four nations.

"Over more than seven decades, and especially in recent times, you have supported the people of our country with courage, compassion and dedication, demonstrating the highest standards of public service.

"You have our enduring thanks and heartfelt appreciation."

Queen Elizabeth presents the George Cross to Caroline Lamb, chief executive NHS Scotland, and Eleanor Grant, Palliative Care Nurse, Specialist University Hospital Wishaw, NHS Lanarkshire

NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard said she was honoured to attend on behalf of workers.

"Under the most difficult of circumstances during the pandemic, our staff responded magnificently," she said.

Other guests included NHS Wales chief executive Judith Paget and Dr Ami Jones, an Army reservist and intensive care consultant with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

Caroline Lamb, chief executive of NHS Scotland, received the George Cross with Eleanor Grant, a palliative care nurse from Specialist University Hospital Wishaw, NHS Lanarkshire.

Peter May, permanent secretary at the Department of Health and chief executive of Health and Social Care Northern Ireland, was joined by Sister Joanna Hogg, from Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital's Emergency Department.

She played a lead role in setting up Covid drive-through testing pods at her hospital and later managed its vaccination centre.