King Charles has presented the first Elizabeth Emblems at Windsor Castle to honour public servants who died in the line of duty.The emotional ceremony recognised 38 former public servants who lost their lives between 1948 and 2019.The monarch carefully reviewed each individual case before the ceremony, ensuring he was aware of their personal stories.Among those honoured were 24 police officers, 12 firefighters, a nursing officer and a diplomat.King Charles presented the first Elizabeth Emblems on Tuesday at Windsor Castle, honouring public servants who died in the line of dutyGettyThe King presented the emblems to families in the State Dining Room, accompanied by the sound of a string quartet, before continuing the presentations in the Crimson Room and Green Room.The awards, named in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II, were received by next of kin of those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the public.PC Andrew Harper, who was dragged to death by a getaway car in 2019, was among those honoured.The ceremony also recognised PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes, who were killed responding to a hoax 999 call in Greater Manchester in 2012.The Elizabeth Emblem features a silver oval design incorporating a rosemary wreath, a traditional symbol of remembrance, and the Tudor CrownGettyTheir fathers, Paul Bone and Bryn Hughes, had campaigned for this recognition. Hughes said: “I wouldn’t let it go, I wouldn’t take no for an answer.”Carole Henbury, 83, received the emblem for her father, firefighter Leslie Marsh, who died in 1949. The King noted to her: “I’m 76, and it’s taken you 75 years to get your emblem.”Rebecca Lombarde-Earl accepted the award for her sister Fleur Lombard, the first female firefighter to die on duty in peacetime, who lost her life tackling an arson attack in 1996.Jane Houng received the emblem for her daughter Rebecca Dykes, a British diplomat killed in Lebanon in 2017.The Elizabeth Emblem features a silver oval design incorporating a rosemary wreath, a traditional symbol of remembrance, and the Tudor Crown.The award is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who die in action or as a result of terrorist attacksGettyEach emblem bears the inscription “For a Life Given in Service” with the name of the honoured person on the reverse.The award is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who die in action or as a result of terrorist attacks.NHS workers who died during the pandemic will also be eligible for the honour.Applications from families and next of kin are verified and assessed by the George Cross Committee before recommendations are made to the King and prime minister.Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “We must never forget those who have given their lives to protect others in the line of duty. While families will never be able to replace their loved ones, the Elizabeth Emblem pays tribute to the sacrifice they have made.”