The eyes of the world will be on London next Monday for the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
And one Lanarkshire man will play a key role in one of the biggest events in British history.
Colin Russell was awarded a position as an Officer Of Arms to the Queen in October last year.
And now in his new role, Colin - from Wishaw - will be participating in the funeral of Her Majesty in front of the watching world.
His proud partner George Anderson will be watching on back home in Wishaw.
He told Lanarkshire Live : “I’m pleased for him, there is a lot of work for him to do both in Edinburgh and in London.
“He has various duties to do and he has been rehearsing in Edinburgh over the past few days almost as soon as the news came through.
“It will be such a privilege for him as The Queen was a great ambassador for the country down the years.
“Hopefully it brings Scotland and England closer together, you have a real sense of pride of what she did in the country.
“We have friends in Germany and Italy and they have got a real affection for her.”
Colin was given the special role due to his lifetime passion and commitment to heraldry.
Heraldry is the study and history of armorial bearings and coats of arms.
Colin’s role means that he carries out many ceremonial duties in Scotland, such as royal occasions and those in connection with Scottish public life.
Speaking at the time of his appointment, Colin explained: “I have had an interest in heraldry since I was a young boy at Wishaw Old Parish Church.
“There was a coat of arms in there and I wanted to find out what it meant and who it belonged to.
“I did research and found it belonged to Lord Belhaven of Wishaw.
“Since then I have had a keen interest in heraldry and joined the heraldry society of Scotland. I was a committee member there for two terms.”
As part of Colin’s role as Officer Of Arms he can also give advice and act as professional consultant in the realms of heraldry.
This means if someone is looking to trace their own arms, Colin will be able to consult and help them.
In this role, Colin will be expected to attend and work at events in which the Monarch is present.
This would include things such as the opening of the Scottish Parliament, the opening of the General Assembly and attending the National War Memorial in Edinburgh.
The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19, at 11am.
Prior to the State Funeral, The Queen will Lie-in-State in Westminster Hall for four days, to allow the public to pay their respects.
On Monday, a Procession will be formed on the forecourt of the Palace of Holyroodhouse to convey the coffin to St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh.
The King and members of the Royal Family will take part in the procession and attend a service in St Giles’ Cathedral to receive the coffin.
Her Majesty’s Coffin will then lie at rest in St Giles’ Cathedral, guarded by Vigils from The Royal Company of Archers, to allow the people of Scotland to pay their respects.
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