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The soldiers carrying the Queen’s coffin were specially chosen to protect her
They were specifically chosen
While watching the Queen’s funeral earlier there was a lot of praise for some unsung heroes of the day – the pallbearers who did an incredible job carrying Her Majesty’s coffin.
The Queen’s coffin bearers were actually specifically chosen to protect her body while it was transported during the service
Specially selected soldiers from the Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, were chosen to lift and carry Queen Elizabeth’s coffin.
There were 10 pallbearers in total carrying the coffin – which was ceremonially topped with the diamond-encrusted crown and Royal Standard flag.
When the Queen died, the unit was actually deployed overseas on operations in Iraq, and had to return back to the UK straight away.
Former British Army soldier Major Adrian Weale told PA, as per the Liverpool Echo: “They became the Queen’s Company immediately after the death of George VI and the Queen has been commander ever since.
“It’s their role to protect her body, both in life and in death, remaining the Queen’s Company until King Charles decides otherwise.
“Their duties will then be transitioned to the next monarch.”
Soldiers previously involved in the coffin procession in other parts of the UK have spoken out about their own experiences.
One of them, Ben Tubuna from Fiji, revealed he was ‘humbled’ to have been chosen – he helped carry the coffin outside the Palace of Holyroodhouse and at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.
He said: “Two months ago, we were asked to volunteer to become pallbearers for the late Queen Elizabeth II funeral.
“It was solely based on performance. Me and another Fijian were selected to be part of the procession. Unfortunately, my fellow colleague could not participate.”
Today, the coffin travelled from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey for the service at 11am this morning.
The public procession then started at 12.15pm, with the Queen’s coffin making a 1.5-mile journey from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch in London.
It was then taken to Windsor Castle, for a private burial with the Queen’s late husband Prince Philip.