The conquerers of Everest : E.P. Hilary and Tensing Bhutia, The first men to set foot on the summit of the World's Highest Mountain
On the night of June 1 - 2, the eve of the Coronation, The Times received from the British Mount Everest Expedition, 1953, the message that EP Hilary and Sherpa Tensing Bhutia had reached the summit of the mountain 29,002 feet high on May 29. It was later announced that the time of their triumph was 11.30am and that they stayed on the summit for about fifteen minutes. The news was taken directly to H.M. the Queen and published on the morning of her Coronation -"A crowning homage" for the great day. The Queen sent an immediate message of congratulation; and on June 8 it was announced that she had approved the conferring of a K.B.E. on Mr E.P.Hilary and a Knighthood on Colonel John Hunt , the leader of the expedition. At the same time it was stated that she also desired to honour Tensing Bhutia but that since that he is not a British subject, the form of the award would require consultation. He is claimed as a citizen by Nepal and India. A George Medal was offered and it is understood that Nepal has agreed to this.