An early priority was tracking down certain key players for the funeral, not least the bearer party.
It was not simply a case of picking eight strong soldiers to carry the Queen’s coffin.
The monarch’s bearer party is, by long tradition, drawn from Queen’s Company, Grenadier Guards, which always maintains a designated team.
But where were they? On patrol with Kurdish trainees in Iraq, it transpired. Where were the state trumpeters?
‘There are always supposed to be four state trumpeters in the country at any one time,’ says Garrison Sergeant Major Andrew Stokes.
‘For some reason, it turned out that all eight were on a plane to Canada for a tour with the Household Cavalry Band. We told all of them, including the band, to turn straight round and come back.’
Soon, all over the world, other members of the Armed Forces were making tracks. The Band of the Irish Guards were swiftly summoned home from a tour of Holland.
The monarch’s bearer party is, by long tradition, drawn from Queen’s Company, Grenadier Guards, which always maintains a designated team
Brigadier James Stopford, a member of the sovereign’s ceremonial bodyguard, was in Corfu at the wedding of his daughter, Izzie
Queen Elizabeth II talks with Garrison Sergeant Major Andrew during a military parade
Garrison Sergeant Major Andrew Stokes said there was always supposed to be four state trumpeters in the country at any one time
One Life Guards officer had to cut short his honeymoon. Brigadier James Stopford, a member of the sovereign’s ceremonial bodyguard, was in Corfu at the wedding of his daughter, Izzie.
He was on his feet delivering his father-of-the-bride speech when the incessant vibrations on his mobile phone alerted him to an urgent message: ‘You are commanded to return to the United Kingdom immediately to attend to your duties for Her Late Majesty’s Funeral.’
He concluded his speech with toasts to the bride and groom, to the late Queen and to the King, before taking the next plane home.
As for the bearers, as soon as they arrived home from Iraq, they were given two orders: ‘get a haircut’ and ‘carry a comb at all times’.
Based in Aldershot, they immediately began training with a makeshift catafalque and a bedsheet, which served as a replica Royal Standard for draping over their makeshift coffin.
After becoming unexpected stars of the funeral procession, they were not even allowed a spell of home-leave.
They were on the next available aircraft back to Iraq. However, the following summer, The All England Club and the Garrison Sergeant Major arranged for them all to be guests of honour at Wimbledon.
© Robert Hardman, 2024
- Adapted from Charles III New King. New Court. The Inside Story by Robert Hardman, published by Macmillan on January 18 at £22. To order a copy for £17.60 (offer valid until 29/02/2024; UK p&p free on orders over £25) go to mailshop. co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937.