Just days before the annual Festival of Remembrance, the Duke of Cambridge has awarded the Royal British Legion’s musical director, Captain David Cole, with an MBE on behalf of The Queen.
Captain Cole was amongst a group of high-achieving honourees at Tuesday’s royal investiture at Buckingham Palace. He was recognised for services to music and remembrance and will conduct the British Legion Band during Saturday’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.
The performance commemorates those who have lost their lives in conflicts ahead of Remembrance Sunday, with both events being attended by members of the Royal Family.
Others honoured included Inspector Gary Byfield, given an MBE for his 20 years of work supporting families of police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Inspector Byfield co-founded the annual UK Police Unity Tour cycle ride which has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for these families. During the event, police offers, staff, and families ride in their memory and to raise funds for Care of Police Survivors.
A charity familiar to royal watchers was recognised in Tuesday’s investiture. Sarah Burns, Chair of Smart Works Reading, received an MBE from the Duke of Cambridge for services to disadvantaged women. Burns established the Reading branch of the organisation, which helps women get back into the workforce with career coaching and interview clothing.
Since starting the branch, Burns has helped more than 700 women in the Thames Valley area gain employment. The Duchess of Sussex was announced as patron of Smart Works in January and released the Smart Set clothing line in September. The collection operated with a 1:1 model, where with every piece sold, one was donated to Smart Works.
Also recognised was historian, journalist and presenter Dan Snow, who received an MBE for services to history. Snow is host of the History Hit podcast and creator of History Hit TV, a digital history channel.
