Captain Sir Tom Moore knighted by The Queen in brilliant sunshine at Windsor Castle

In brilliant summer sunshine the Queen hosted the informal ceremony and spent around five minutes chatting to Sir Tom and his family.

She personally praised the veteran telling him: “Thank you so much, an amazing amount of money you raised.”

Captain Tom won the hearts of the nation when his fundraising efforts, walking around his garden at his home, has raised more than £30m for NHS charities.

As the head of state chatted she was overheard telling the former Army captain who celebrated becoming a centenarian a few months ago: “One hundred is a great age.”

The talk turned to national events and the coronavirus and the Queen, who has been sheltering at Windsor with Philip asked: “Have you been shut up – been isolating?”

Captain Tom, who was promoted by Colonel earlier this year for his work, was joined by daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore, son-in-law Colin Ingram, grandson Benji and granddaughter Georgia, for the ceremony.

Grandson Benjie said: “This is a really special day for the entire family.”

The Queen's arrival in the picturesque setting was announced by the sound of bagpipes played by the Queen’s Piper, Pipe Major Richard Grisdale, of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Earlier the monarch, Duke of Edinburgh and other close family attended the unannounced wedding of their granddaughter Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in a nearby chapel.