Courageous Constraint

The Elizabeth Cross was created in 2009 for families of Armed Forces personnel who died on operations or through an act of terrorism. It can be awarded posthumously for anyone who died from 1 January 1948, to the present day. It is designed to be worn with civilian clothes, the cross for formal occasions and the miniature for everyday. The cross is made from hallmarked silver and bears the English rose, the Welsh daffodil, the Scottish thistle, and the Irish shamrock. In the centre is the crowned symbol of Queen Elizabeth II. The first public presentation of an Elizabeth Cross was on 18 August 2009, in a ceremony at Catterick Garrison. It was awarded to Karen Upton, the widow of Warrant Officer Sean Upton who was killed on active service in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.