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The World War 2 veteran shot to stardom during the coronavirus pandemic, when the then-99-year-old man raised £33million for NHS charities by walking 100 laps of his garden, walker in tow. Captain Tom, who turned 100 in April, received a card from the Queen, as everyone who reaches that three-digit age receives. However, this centenarian’s card contained a special message about his charitable efforts.

Captain Tom beamed as he proudly told the media about the message.

It read: “I am so pleased to know that you are celebrating your 100th birthday on April 30, 2020.

“I was most interested to hear of your recent fundraising efforts for NHS Charities Together at this difficult time.

“I send my congratulations and best wishes to you on such a special occasion ‒ Elizabeth R.”

Captain Tom, who posed for photographs with the card, which had a picture of the Queen on the front, appeared to be delighted and described the message as “rather special” on Twitter.

Buckingham Palace tweeted that the Queen’s personal message had been delivered to Captain Tom’s home by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, the monarch’s representative in the county where he lives with his daughter Hannah.

The Palace also publicly wished the veteran a happy birthday, tweeting: “Today we join people across the UK and around the world in wishing Captain Tom Moore a very happy 100th birthday.”

April 30 was also the day the Queen agreed to promote Captain Tom to Honorary Colonel and his knighthood was announced 19 days later.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said the Queen would have been “delighted” by his selfless act and he drew comparisons between the two people.

He explained how both Her Majesty and Captain Tom prove how elderly people can still make a huge contribution to society.

Talking about the birthday wishes, Mr Fitzwilliams said: “The Queen, at 94, is the most famous example of how those who are older can make important contributions to society, and will undoubtedly be delighted at Captain Tom Moore’s remarkable efforts.”

However, the Queen is not the only impressed member of the Royal Family.

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In a rare interview with the BBC, Prince William called the Captain an “absolute legend”, adding: “It’s incredible, I did see him on the news the other night and I thought, ‘good on him’, It’s amazing.”

Prince Charles and Camilla wished a “very happy birthday” to the veteran by sharing on Twitter a video of the Duchess of Cornwall.

Camilla said in the video: “There is a silver lining to everything, a lot of good is going to come out of this horrible, horrible time.

“I think it is bringing out the best of many people, I think people are so kind you see, the tiny little things of helping their neighbours and probably talking to neighbours they have never talked to before, doing their shopping…

“And that wonderful man Captain Tom, walking around and raising all that money.

“That sort of thing makes you proud to be British, doesn’t it?”

Sarah Ferguson even chimed in, writing: “Colonel Thomas, happy birthday and to Pamela in your heart, 100 years and together you are so strong.”

The veteran, who launched his fundraiser on April 9, had aimed to raise just £1000 but as more people became aware of his efforts, donations started escalating and he passed the £30million mark on his birthday.

Almost 1.5 million people ended up donating to his cause.

Today, Captain Tom will be knighted in an unusual outdoor ceremony in the Windsor Castle quadrangle, as the Queen has been staying in this residence during the coronavirus pandemic.

While other investitures due to be held at Buckingham Palace in London and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh in June and July were postponed, a special exception was made for the 100-year-old.

Her Majesty will use a sword that belonged to her father, King George VI, and will present Captain Tom with the insignia of Knight Bachelor.

The investiture will follow strict social distancing guidelines.

Tom will be joined for the ceremony by his daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore, son-on-law Colin Ingram, grandson Benji and granddaughter Georgia.

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