Queen shares special moment with 101-year-old war veteran

After more than 65 years on the throne, Queen Elizabeth has earned herself a reputation as a bit of a stickler for tradition, but thankfully she’s not afraid to let her guard down once in a while.

The British Monarch proved once again that she really is a Queen of the people when she stopped to share a special moment with 101-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Mordaunt Cohen, who was receiving his MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) at Buckingham Palace for his service during World War II.

The army veteran arrived at the Palace on Friday with a host of other Brits who were receiving investitures for their work and contribution to British society over the years.

Despite investitures being a pretty run-of-the-mill event for the Queen these days, it didn’t escape her attention that Cohen was someone particularly special.

Cohen, a former lawyer, was awarded his MBE for his contribution to World War II education. According to the Sunderland Echo, he still tours schools today, telling stories about the war and teaching the next generation about the importance of remembering the soldiers who lost their lives in battle.

He joined the army after hearing about Nazi persecution from Jewish children and served in Burma, where he commanded an anti-aircraft unit defending RAF air strips.

Upon pinning Cohen’s medal to his jacket, the Queen lent down and took his hand, sharing a smile and a softly-spoken chat in an intimate moment that was caught on camera.

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Afterwards, Cohen told the Sunderland Echo he was “honoured and delighted” to be been bestowed the honour by the Queen.

The 101-year-old is one of the few hundred thousand World War II veterans still alive today. Of the millions of military personnel who served in the war, only those who were particularly young when they signed up are still around to tell their story.

More than 990,900 Australian men and women enlisted into the army between 1939 and 1945, but less than 30,000 are still alive today. Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, only 558,000 were still alive in 2017. Numbers are less clear in Britain, but of the nearly 3,000 aircrew who served with RAF Fighter Command during the main battle between July 10 and October 31, 1940, there are just eight surviving members of the Battle of Britain Fighter Association.

Having seen many members of her own family go to war, including her husband Prince Philip, the Queen has always had a special place in her heart for veterans.

Military life plays a big role in the royal family and many of its members, including Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry have all served.

Do you have family who fought in World War II? Are you a fan of the Queen and the royal family?