Captain Elizabeth "Lizzie" Godwin paved the way for women in the British military with her groundbreaking role in the Army's Life Guards. The 28-year-old took part in major moments such as Queen Elizabeth's funeral in 2022 and The King's coronation in 2023, and this week, the Army's Household Cavalry announced her tragic death. Godwin—who died in a car accident on September 5, per the Sun—is being remembered for her contributions to the military, and in a 2023 interview with Tatler, she reflected on one "magical" encounter she had with a then-eight-year-old Princess Charlotte during the coronation.
In 2020, Godwin became the first female officer of the Life Guards, the most senior regiment of the Army and part of the Household Cavalry that participates in ceremonial roles for the country. Along with participating in pomp and pageantry like Trooping the Colour and coronations, the soldiers also go into active duty situations. Speaking to Tatler about the coronation, she explained that her troops "spent months" practicing to escort the new King and Queen's carriage through the streets of London.
