Aug 19, 2009, 11:00 GMT
Britain's Queen Elizabeth's timetable prevented her from awarding the first Elizabeth Cross yesterday (18.08.09).
The 83-year-old monarch could not rearrange her schedule in time to present war widow Karen Upton with the medal bearing her name.
Karen had asked to be given the award at her husband Warrant Officer Sean Upton's funeral, forcing defence officials to plan the ceremony at the last minute.
An insider told Britain's Times newspaper: "I don't think the Queen's timetable can be turned around at such notice and there had been no request for Buckingham Palace to be involved in the first presentation.
"Mrs. Upton was quite happy for the cross to be presented in the way it was and she had asked for the ceremony to be privately organised in a marquee before the funeral because she didn't want to be seen crying while taking the cross."
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the Ministry of Defence had been in charge of the ceremony and insisted it was "just a matter of timing" that the queen wasn't there.
Karen was the first person to receive the honour, which was created to acknowledge the grief of the families of Armed Forces personnel who are killed on active service.
She accepted the medal shortly before her husband was laid to rest at the Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire.
She said: "It is an absolute honour to receive the very first Elizabeth Cross in Her Majesty's name and comforting to feel the support of Queen and country.
"Sean and I grew up together, were childhood sweethearts and soul mates. He was a loving husband and devoted father.
"Wherever our children and I go, my husband will always be with us. I will wear this Elizabeth Cross in his honour with pride and treasure it always."
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