Royal Navy prepares for The Queen's state funeral at HMS Collingwood
Around 1,000 Royal Navy sailors and marines are set to take part
Last updated 15th Sep 2022
Around 1,000 Royal Navy personnel are set to take part in the Queen’s state funeral procession following rehearsals at HMS Collingwood in Fareham.
Officers have described their ‘pride, privilege and honour’ to be involved in the momentous occasion, alongside representatives from all three armed forces.
Rear Admiral Jude Terry, Director of People and Training, is responsible for the Royal Navy’s role.
She said: "I know that for everyone who is a part of it, it is an absolute honour and privilege.
"For everybody within the parade, they will have their moment of reflection and honour to be able to have served her, as well as a moment of sadness. We will all feel a great deal of emotion; she will have meant so much to us all in very different ways, all of us will have been touched by her presence in some way.
"And then also as a reflection and a look-forward, how do we carry on and serve HM the King as we go forward in our careers, and that too comes with an almost desire to do the best for him as we can."
Sailors and marines, drawn from ships, squadrons and other units will have all sorts of responsibilities on the day.
Commander Steve Elliot, a staff weapon engineer officer, said: "I will have the sombre honour of marching in front of the gun carriage carrying Her Majesty's body on her final journey.
"Something perhaps a little more poignant for me is it will be my last action in uniform after 32 years' service before I actually leave the Royal Navy."
Cdr Elliot previously commanded the first Navy detachment in nearly 400 years to perform guard duties at St James's Palace, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and Windsor Castle.
The last person to carry out that role was Sir Walter Raleigh.
He added: "The royal family is incredibly important to the Royal Navy, our relationship is second to none. There is a fondness between monarch, whether that be Queen Elizabeth or King Charles, and us which will not change and is fundamental and central to everything we do.
"They were Her Majesty's ships, they are now His Majesty's ships; that connection is strong and powerful from the most junior sailor to the most senior officer."
The use of the Royal Navy state gun carriage is a tradition which dates back to the death of Queen Victoria in 1901.
It was originally pulled by horses from the Army, but following logistical problems, Prince Louis of Battenberg ordered the Navy to take up drag ropes for Her Majesty’s final journey.
The highly dedicated personnel know the eyes of the world will be on them, and have expressed their hope to make their country and their families proud.
AB Ryan Howarth, 25, whose father was a major in the Army and met the Queen, said: "I feel very honoured. I didn't think I would ever get to do something like this in my career, and to do it after eight months of being in is very shocking. I wasn't expecting to do something like this but (am) deeply honoured about it.
"My grandma recently passed away this year while I was doing my training so I never got to attend her funeral. I am not saying this is her funeral but I probably have emotions come up on the day."