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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editor

Britain’s military plays key and colourful role in royal send-off

The bearer party formed of personnel from the Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards transport the coffin of  the Queen to the gun carriage
Soldiers from the Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, transport the coffin of the Queen to the gun carriage. The company has specific duties for protecting the body of the monarch in both life and death. Photograph: Reuters

Four thousand military personnel from the UK and Commonwealth countries were involved in the Queen’s funeral and parade, the most prominent ceremonial display by the UK armed forces since the death of George VI.

The most delicate task fell to eight soldiers from the Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, who at first had to lift the coffin with precision from its resting place at Westminster Hall and transplant it on to the gun carriage.

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