At the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, the British Armed Forces will carry the Queen’s coffin. The ceremonial cortège for such an occasion is usually made up of soldiers from the Household Division and the Foot Guards.
The procession will be led by a group of eight pallbearers selected from the Welsh Guards, carrying her coffin draped in her Personal Standard. Following the pallbearers will be a bearer party, with the Sovereign’s Escort composed of the Life Guards and the Horse Guards.
Members of the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force, and the British Army will follow, as well as her royal courtiers, and the general public.
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Who are the Queens pallbearers?
Queen Elizabeth II’s pallbearers typically consist of members of her royal court, including members of her Royal Household, senior armed forces officers, and members from the government. On December 9th, 2019, eight members of the royal court acted as pallbearers for Lady Margaret Rhodes’ funeral.
The eight pallbearers were: Her Majesty’s Lord Chamberlain, Earl Peel, Lord Airlie, Lord Dannatt, Brigadier Andrew Freer-Smith, Rear Admiral John Lang, Sir Alan Reid, and Lord Cuddon. They were attired in ceremonial uniforms and accompanied by two equerries.
In April 2021, the senior pallbearers for Prince Philip’s funeral included a variety of senior figures from his life, including Lord Chattam, Rear Admiral Archie Miller-Bakewell, Air Commodore Archie Storrar, Major Tom Coke, Major General Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne, Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, and Rear Admiral Keith Blount.
All of the pallbearers were six feet apart while they carried the coffin to the graveside.
Why are queens coffins lead lined?
Lead-lined coffins have been used to contain the remains of royalty and aristocracy throughout history. Queen’s coffins are lead lined for a variety of important reasons. Firstly, lead is an incredibly durable material and therefore ensures the body inside the coffin will remain safely undisturbed underground, even if the coffin itself deteriorates over time.
Lead can also offer a degree of protection from potential thieves and grave robbers. Lead is one of the best materials for providing robust physical protection, especially against water and other elements that could corrode or weaken the actual coffin itself.
Lead is also extremely heavy, and thus makes it very difficult for would-be perpetrators to lift and steal the coffin.
Finally, lead lined coffins are often used for queens because of their long-lasting ability to preserve the body inside. Lead is an incredibly strong sealer and does not corrode or weaken over time, so this provides the best possible protection for the body within, ensuring that it remains undamaged for centuries.
Plus, lead has the added benefit of absorbing and containing any bacteria or potentially dangerous materials that could otherwise harm the body suspended inside.
Why do pallbearers leave their gloves on the casket?
Pallbearer gloves are traditionally worn during funeral processions and are a form of respect for the deceased and their family. The tradition of leaving the gloves on the casket as the pallbearers exit has various interpretations.
Some believe the practice is a sign of respect, indicating that any contact to the casket is so sacred and private that gloves must be donned to keep the purity and meaning of the moment intact. Because pallbearers often gather to honor their loved ones and those of the bereaved, wearing gloves is a tangible way to show that their hands are free of any impairment and are devoted to carrying out the sacred task of conveying the body to its final resting place.
Others explain that pallbearers’ gloves represent a symbolic passing of the legacy to the next generation. By removing the gloves and leaving them on the casket, the bereaved might be able to reconcile their loss more easily.
In other cultures, the gloves may be left behind to bring good luck and protection to the deceased in their journey to the afterlife.
Regardless of the interpretation, the tradition of pallbearers leaving their gloves on the casket enforces respect and reverence from those in attendance and serves as a sign of remembrance for the departed.
How were the soldiers chosen to carry the Queen’s coffin?
The soldiers who were chosen to carry the Queen’s coffin were chosen to reflect her life and her service. In total, there were eight pallbearers—four of whom were from the British Army, two from the Royal Navy, one from the Royal Air Force, and one from the Irish Guards.
The British Army pallbearers were drawn from the Grenadier and Welsh Guards, two regiments of which The Queen had been Colonel-in-Chief since 1953 and 1969 respectively.
The Royal Navy’s pallbearers were from Her Majesty’s Royal Marines.
The Royal Air Force representative was chosen from the Royal Air Force Regiment, as a nod to The Queen’s extraordinary connection with the RAF throughout her reign, having previously served as an Honorary Air Commodore-in-Chief of each of its individual commands.
The Irish Guards’ pallbearer was chosen due to The Queen’s close ties to Ireland and her long relationship with the regiment, which she appointed as Colonel of the Regiment in 1975.
The eight pallbearers worked in two teams of four to carry the coffin, which weighed around 300 lbs. The pallbearers bore the coffin for an hour and a quarter, ahead of the two-hour funeral service in Westminster Abbey.
The incredible honour paid to The Queen was said to have left the pallbearers feeling deeply humbled and honoured to be part of such an incredible moment in British history.
Did the Queen choose her coffin bearers?
No, the Queen did not choose her coffin bearers. According to the Ministry of Defense, the coffin bearers of the Queen’s funeral procession were members of the armed forces selected by her family, the government, and the Ministry of Defense.
This was done “to allow the public to pay their respects to the Queen in appreciation of her many years of service”. The eight pallbearers were servicemen from all branches of the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces, chosen to honor the Queen’s lifelong dedication to the country.
The bearer of the coffin was a female servicewoman, who carried the coffin with the six pallbearers. The escort was provided by members of the Guard of Honour from the Irish Guards.
Who carried the coffin of Prince Philip?
The coffin of Prince Philip was carried by a military procession of eight service personnel. The eight pallbearers were Captain Wayne Birdsall of the Royal Marines, Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah of the Blues and Royals, Major Christopher Jobson of The Rifles, Commander Kydd Laurie Royal Navy, Major John Curwen Royal Marines, Captain David Dobson Royal Navy, Warrant Officer Class 2 Karl Power, and Warrant Officer Class 2 Gary Stein who serves with the Royal Marines Band.
They all wore “highland dress”, which included Royal Navy and Royal Marines full dress tunics and glengarries (tartan hats). Prince Philip had a years of naval service and the pallbearers were selected to represent all the three services.
Do the Queens Pall Bearers receive a medal?
The Queen’s Pall Bearers are members of the British Armed Forces who are granted the privilege of accompanying the Queen’s casket during ceremonial processions. Due to their highly specialised roles, the Queen’s Pall Bearers do not receive a medal from the Queen.
However, they may be eligible to receive various military awards which they become qualified for due to their active service in the armed forces. Upon joining the military, service personnel are usually eligible to receive various awards such as the General Service Medal, Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and Operational Service Medal.
If a serving member of the armed forces has performed acts of exemplary service and bravery during their career, they may also become eligible to receive one of a large range of gallantry awards, such as the Victoria Cross.
Who was the last royal to be buried?
The last royal to be buried was Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. She was the mother of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the widow of King George VI. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 101 on March 30th, 2002.
Her funeral service was held at Westminster Abbey and she was buried at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, alongside her late husband and other members of the British royal family. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s ceremonial funeral was attended by Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the British royal family, including the banished Kings George V and Edward VIII, Her Majesty Queen Alexandra of Norway, and the King and Queen of Sweden.
How do they choose who carries the coffin?
Usually, the pallbearers at a funeral are chosen by the deceased’s family. They may be close relatives, such as siblings, parents, children, or others who were close to the person who passed away. It is common for the pallbearers to be family members of the same gender, but this is not always the case.
The way a funeral procession is arranged, however, often includes one member from each side of the family. Ultimately, the pallbearers are chosen by the family in a way that honors the deceased’s wishes, as well as their own.
If a close family member or friend is not available to serve as a pallbearer, then a professional service may be chosen instead. Professional services, like funeral homes or organizations, can provide pallbearers for hire.
Often times, these services will provide six individuals to carry the casket. Of the six, two are known as the chief pallbearers and normally walk in the front, right and left of the actual pallbearers.
Ultimately, choosing who carries the coffin is an extremely personal choice and should reflect the wishes of the deceased person and the family. It is common for pallbearers to wear black suits, hats, and gloves, with the chief pallbearers wearing something that stands out and perhaps honors the deceased.
Should a son be a pallbearer for his father?
The decision to have a son serve as a pallbearer for his father’s funeral should be left to the personal judgement of the son and his family. In some families, this is seen as a highly honorable responsibility that is considered a time-honored tradition.
The son would be representing the immediate family and, if accepted, his role as a pallbearer could provide him with a sense of closure and a meaningful way to honor and remember his father.
On the other hand, this could be an emotionally exhausting task and could be unnecessarily taxing for the son at an already difficult time. It would be normal for the son to feel a mix of grief, sadness, nostalgia, and even shock when having to walk alongside his father’s coffin and possibly affect how he may cope with his father’s passing.
It’s completely understandable if the son is not emotionally ready to accept this responsibility. Even some men who are adults may not want this honor due to feeling too overwhelmed and unwelcome to do so.
In the end, the son should be free to make the decision that best suits him and his needs during this period of mourning. It can be helpful to express his feelings and make known his wishes to his family so they are taken into consideration before making this decision.
Who is usually pallbearers?
Pallbearers are traditionally individuals who close to the deceased, typically family members and close friends. Though pallbearers are often male, any individual can serve in this role regardless of gender.
Pallbearers are typically responsible for carrying the casket from the funeral service, but there are other tasks they may be asked to contribute to the service, such as taking responsibility for floral arrangements or assisting the family with tasks related to the service.
Pallbearers usually dress in appropriates suits or dresses. Again, clothing is not a factor that determines who can be a pallbearer, but it is tradition for those in this role to wear attire that is respectful, dark, and subdued.
Who are the 6 people that carry the casket?
Traditionally, six individuals are selected to carry the casket during a funeral service. Generally, these people are family, close friends, or pallbearers chosen by the deceased prior to their death.
Pallbearers have the honor of representing the deceased’s life and memories, and although there is no specific requirement regarding their selection, these individuals typically fulfill certain criteria.
For example, it’s common for all pallbearers to be the same gender or of the same age, such as six brothers, six sisters, six grown or adult children, or six male/female friends. Pallbearers should also all be equal in stature and strength to carry the casket without any one person struggling or tiring quickly.
In some cases, the pallbearers may opt to wheel or slide the casket, instead of carrying it.
Do pallbearers sit with family?
No, pallbearers typically do not sit with the family during a funeral service. As pallbearers are responsible for bearing the casket during the funeral ceremony, their role is more practical than commemorative.
The pallbearers line up outside the church, synagogue, or other funeral service venue where the casket is located. Usually, six to eight pallbearers accompany the casket which is often draped with a flag or other symbolic item.
In some cases, the honor guard may stand with the casket instead of the pallbearers. The pallbearers enter the service venue respectfully and proceed to the platform where the casket is displayed. At the end of the ceremony, they then carry the casket out of the service.
They likely won’t sit down with the family during the service, so they can remain in position and ready to assemble when the time comes.
How are pallbearers decided?
The decision of who will serve as pallbearers is typically made by the closest family members to the deceased. Generally speaking, pallbearers will be the most close-knit family members or friends of the deceased.
There are no formal rules or regulations for determining who should serve, and the decision can be based on a variety of considerations.
For example, family can choose people who have been involved in the deceased’s life in some way and could have strong ties or have experienced their loss in their own way. This could include immediate family and grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins, or even close friends.
Additionally, those who have the physical strength and ability to carry the coffin can also be selected.
The funeral director can also be consulted to provide guidance in selecting pallbearers. Ultimately, the main consideration is who can honor and pay a tribute to the deceased in the most fitting way.
