'My boy is part of history - I am very proud'
Soldier's mum reveals former Borders pupil's role in Queen's last visit to Edinburgh
Last updated 12th Sep 2022
A Scot's mum's been speaking of her pride after watching her son carry the Queen's coffin into the Palace of Holyroodhouse yesterday (Sunday).
Graeme Thomson, from the Borders, was specially selected for the role, alongside colleagues from the Royal Regiment of Scotland - despite only completing his training with the British Army last month.
The 21-year-old former Eyemouth High School pupil was one of eight pallbearers who met the Royal cortege in Edinburgh following a 175-mile journey from Balmoral, where Her Majesty spent her final days before her death last week, aged 96.
But, with huge crowds turning out to watch the procession in the capital, mum Elaine had to settle for watching the moving proceedings at home on TV.
She told us: "Graeme came out of training on the 5th of August and joined 5 Scots on the 15th of August; so, three weeks into his service, he's doing the most honourable duty of his life - it's just amazing.
"When he told me what he'd been asked to do I was stunned, speechless."
But she added: "Graeme takes everything in his stride and doesn't get over-excited about anything really; he's just cool and calm."
With images of the procession being broadcast around the world, Elaine says the family - including dad David, and sister Abbie - have been overwhelmed with messages of support.
Elaine said: "I watched it on the television as I knew I wouldn't get near if I went up to Edinburgh.
"It's a massive honour - something that we'll never experience again in our lifetime, I'm sure."
Graeme's former teammates at Duns Rugby Club have also paid tribute to their former player's role on the day. A spokesperson said: "What an incredible honour for the young man to have been selected to carry out such an important duty, and one he will no doubt remember for the rest of his life."
WATCH: Click on the link below to see what happened when a man repeatedly shouting “objection” tried to disrupt the Proclamation of King Charles