Widow of Slain PC Recounts “Lovely Chat” with King Charles During Award Ceremony

The widow of a Merseyside Police officer, who died following a single-punch assault during an evening out, shared that she had a “lovely chat” with King Charles while accepting a posthumous accolade. PC Neil Doyle was among the initial recipients last month of the Elizabeth Emblem, a new honour designated for emergency service personnel who perish in the line of duty. His widow, Sarah Doyle, journeyed to Windsor Castle to receive the award and recounted that the King, upon noticing her accent, remarked to her that “Scousers are renowned for their fighting spirit.” Mrs. Doyle spoke with BBC Radio Merseyside in anticipation of the 10th anniversary of her husband’s passing, which occurred on 19 December 2014. PC Doyle, aged 36, had been enjoying a Christmas night out with colleagues when they were set upon by a group of men in Liverpool city centre. The officer sustained what was described as a “piledriver punch,” resulting in severe internal injuries. Two individuals were incarcerated for manslaughter in September 2015. When asked to characterize her husband, Mrs. Doyle stated: “A very caring kind of person but really, really fun. He just made the best out of everything, any situation.” The couple had been together for 18 years, but had only married six months prior to his death. Mrs. Doyle elaborated: “You’re planning for your whole life – children, all the holidays, we had our honeymoon booked for January – and then all of a sudden that just kind of completely taken from you, it turns your world upside down.” Discussing the upcoming anniversary and the Christmas season, she commented: “For me it’s the approach to it, the lead up, because people are starting to ask ‘are you ok?’ “It builds up the tension and then the day comes, and it’s genuinely not easy.” Mrs. Doyle described grief as a “sink or swim” ordeal, and has dedicated her efforts to the Doyle Phillips Foundation charity. This organisation, named in honour of PC Doyle and fellow Merseyside PC Dave Phillips, who was killed in 2015 while attempting to halt a stolen truck, provides assistance to the families of officers and civilian staff who die while serving. Mrs. Doyle expressed that she views the charity as a means to “give back.” She stated: “When Neil was killed the support I received from his friends and colleagues was second to none,” adding, “I probably wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for them picking me up all the time.” Reflecting on her encounter with the King, she characterized receiving the award as “bitter-sweet” but noted that Charles “took the time to listen.” She remarked: “He was so lovely, he stood and chatted to us for about five minutes – there was no rush.” She mentioned that the King, who has personally experienced the loss of both parents in recent years, conveyed to her: “Grief can take us all at different stages.”