Earl marshal: the duke coordinating the Queen’s funeral and King’s coronation

The earl marshal, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, right, as the principal proclamation is read by the garter king of arms. Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian

As the nation mourns a Queen and celebrates a new King, a key behind-the-scenes figure is the earl marshal.

This hereditary role has responsibility for arranging the state opening of parliament, as well as organising the state funerals of sovereigns and the accession and coronations of new monarchs.