How Captain Sir Tom Moore spent his last hours as the Queen pays tribute

Captain Sir Tom Moore, the British WWII veteran who stole hearts across the world after raising almost $60 million for the UK's National Health Service (NHS), has died.

The 100-year-old succumbed to COVID-19 a few days after being admitted to hospital with difficulty breathing, having been treated for pneumonia over the past few weeks.

The centenarian who was often seen smiling and giving a thumbs up, spent his final hours with his family — one daughter by his side, the other on FaceTime.

"We are so grateful that we were with him during the last hours of his life; Hannah, Benjie and Georgia by his bedside and Lucy on FaceTime," Captain Sir Tom's daughters Hannah Ingram-Moore and Lucy Teixeira said in a statement.

"We spent hours chatting to him, reminiscing about our childhood and our wonderful mother. We shared laughter and tears together.

"The last year of our father's life was nothing short of remarkable. He was rejuvenated and experienced things he'd only ever dreamed of.

"Whilst he'd been in so many hearts for just a short time, he was an incredible father and grandfather, and he will stay alive in our hearts forever."

Captain Sir Tom Moore first captured the hearts of people around the globe when he set out to raise £1000 ($1800) by completing 100 laps of his backyard before his 100th birthday on April 30.

READ MORE: Duchess of Cornwall praises Captain Tom Moore on his 100th birthday

He achieved his goal and then some — with the donations rolling in to amass almost £33 million ($60m).

Pomp and pageantry on his 100th Birthday followed to celebrate the amazing man and his efforts, receiving an RAF flyover, a birthday card from the Queen and the monarch also upgraded his rank to Honorary Colonel.

READ MORE: Queen knights Captain Sir Tom Moore in rare outdoor ceremony hours after Princess Beatrice's wedding

Then on May 20, Downing Street formally announced Captain Tom would get a knighthood and on July 17, Queen Elizabeth performed a socially distanced investiture on the ground of Windsor Castle.

Captain Tom was joined at the ceremony by his daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore, son-in-law Colin Ingram, grandson Benjie and granddaughter Georgia.

Her Majesty spoke to all of them after the official duties were done, as they gathered around the man of the moment.

When news first broke that the Queen would perform the investiture herself, the 100-year-old couldn't quite believe the honour.

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"I could never have imagined this would happen to me," he said via Twitter, adding: "It is such a huge honour and I am very much looking forward to meeting Her Majesty The Queen. It is going to be the most special of days for me"

Upon hearing the news of his passing, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson confirmed Her Majesty will be getting in touch with Captain Sir Tom's family.

"The Queen is sending a private message of condolence to the family of Captain Sir Tom Moore," a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said.

"Her Majesty very much enjoyed meeting Cpt Sir Tom and his family at Windsor last year.

"Her thoughts, and those of the Royal Family, are with them, recognising the inspiration he provided for the whole nation and others across the world."

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall as well as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have all praised the former Army veteran for his efforts to boost morale during the first wave of the pandemic.

Captain Sir Tom also released a book, titled after his now-famous catchphrase, Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day.

He also went on to break other records — the 100-year-old became the oldest person ever to score a Number One single in the UK with his cover of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' and he became the oldest ever GQ cover star after being named one of their Man of the Year winners for lifting the spirits of a nation during the UK's first major lockdown.