In 1953, Major General Sir Charles Dunphie watched over Queen Elizabeth II as she was crowned Great Britain’s monarch at Westminster Abbey.
And his grandson has miraculously followed in his footsteps by standing on guard in the same holy church for the King’s coronation - 70 years later.
Bridge of Cally native Charles Dunphie (52) was carrying out his duty as an Archer in The King’s Bodyguard for Scotland as millions around the world witnessed history on Saturday, May 6.
The Royal Company of Archers, The King’s Bodyguard for Scotland is a ceremonial unit that serves as the Sovereign’s bodyguard in Scotland — a role that dates back to the 17th century.
Charles’ grandfather was a distinguished WWII soldier and carried out the most important role seven decades earlier as Her Majesty’s Bodyguard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms - standing behind the Queen as her lead protector.
So it left Charles, who lives with his family near Blairgowrie, in shock when he was hand-picked for the prestigious ceremonial duty at the coronation of King Charles III.
Speaking to the PA he said: “My grandfather was in the Gentlemen of Arms at the Queen’s coronation in 1953.
“So from a family perspective we have been hugely fortunate that, by pure coincidence, we have a had a member of the family in each of the two coronations.
“He was a soldier who fought in WWII and left just after the war after over 25 years’ service at that stage.”
Fourth-generation soldier Charles, like his grandfather, served in the Regular Army including operational service in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone and Iraq over an 18-year career.
He finished as a senior instructor, training the Army’s next generation of young commanders at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
He now runs the Scottish office of the Army’s national charity – ABF The Soldiers’ Charity – and has been the Deputy Lieutenant for Perth and Kinross since 2012.
“Each of the King’s Bodyguard contingent had one contingent inside the abbey and a second marching in the procession afterwards for the King and Queen,” he explained.
“I happened to be with the contingent inside the abbey itself.
“When the King enters the abbey, then in comes the Royal family and senior Royal staff of Buckingham Palace, and the bodyguards.
“The King’s Bodyguard all have different titles.
“In Scotland’s case it started as an archery club then their duty changed towards the monarchy.”
Charles’ dark uniform was accompanied by a sword, a longbow and three arrows - but the role has become purely ceremonial.
“We were standing in the abbey for two hours which even from a soldier’s perspective is a long time,” he explained.
“Your joints are all stiff and creaky - certainly when you are 52.
“Behind the scenes it was almost like stepping out onto the stage for a school play with the range of uniforms and regalia.
“Then you step out onto the stage and that is what everyone sees.
“If you have been a soldier you are fairly used to wearing something like that - even though the bonnet is not terribly comfortable!
“It is quite warm when you are standing there but if you have been a soldier, you are fairly familiar with being in a parade.
“You are armed with a longbow and a set of arrows - so I don’t necessarily think we would be the quickest on the draw.
“You’d rather rely on a police officer for security.
“The King went to the top half of the abbey and we stayed lining the pillars running down the aisle on the other side where the bulk of the guests were.
“Ultimately though you are keeping and eye out, making sure there is nothing untoward and the chance of anything happening is very small because everyone has been checked before they come in.”
When standing to attention along the abbey aisle Charles had to “pinch himself” as the newly-crowned King Charles III walked by within a yard of him during the exit procession.
“All of us felt it was a surreal experience in some respect,” he said.
“I’m just a soldier and not anyone sort of special but I was hugely privileged to have been chosen with others in the royal company to be there.
“The King was so close as he walked past, I could have reached out and touched him. He was literally a yard away as he processed out.
“That was one of the things that went through my mind at the time, that is was walking in the footsteps of William the Conqueror in 1066.
“I just came back the week before from running a battle tour in Normandy.
“It struck me that it was where William the Conqueror was born and bred and a week later I am picking up on another thread of his history.
“You are watching a king come out and do what kings have done for almost 1,000 years.
“It is hard to get your head around and it was an amazing experience to be there.”
Charles’ parents, wife and three children were glued to the TV coverage to catch a glimpse of dad on duty.
“The family did get the chance to see me on TV for about five seconds,” he jested.
“During the coverage you can see the Archers there as the King was processing out the abbey.
“My wife, my girls and my parents were excited to see that I think.
“I turned on my Whatsapp afterwards and had 30-40 nice messages from mates who I served with 10-20 years ago which was really nice.
“Driving back on Sunday I just thought to myself: ‘I can’t quite believe I did this’.
“The guests who were there deserved to be there, whether they are volunteers or otherwise, and it was great to see such a range of people come from all sorts of backgrounds. It was a really fitting way to recognise them.
“And I was hugely lucky to be a part of it all.”
