Queen hosts reception for Victoria Cross heroes

The Queen and Prince Philip hold a reception to honour recipients of the Victoria Cross and George Cross and their families
Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh have hosted a reception in Buckingham Palace to honour 23 recipients of the Victoria Cross and George Cross and their families.
The Victoria Cross is the highest British military decoration awarded "for most conspicuous bravery or some daring pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy".
Introduced by Queen Victoria in 1856, it is awarded irrespective of rank to those serving in British and Commonwealth forces.
The George Cross, the second highest British military award, was introduced by King George VI in September 1940, during the height of the Blitz.
It is granted in recognition of "acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger" and can be awarded posthumously and to civilians.
The Queen has been patron of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association since 1957.
During the reception Prince Philip was pictured wearing hearing aids for the first time.
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