Who are the coffin bearers for Queen Elizabeth II's funeral?

Historic British Army regiment will escort the monarch on her final journey

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A senior infantry regiment of British Army soldiers, of which the late Queen Elizabeth II was company commander, will be given the major role of pallbearers during the monarch's funeral on Monday.

Soldiers from the Queen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, have been chosen to move the monarch to Westminster Abbey and then to St George's Chapel in Windsor, where she will be buried.

The company guarded the queen's coffin in Westminster Hall as she lay in state before the funeral. Twelve of their soldiers have been selected to provide the bearer party at the funeral.

The Grenadier Guards is the most senior of the Foot Guards regiments and has a proud association with the monarchy since its establishment in 1656.

Queen Elizabeth II was the colonel in chief of the company.

The Queen's Company will retain its name up until the monarch is laid to rest, and will later change to reflect the new king.

"They became the Queen's Company immediately after the death of George VI and the queen has been commander ever since," former British Army soldier Major Adrian Weale said. "It's their role to protect her body, both in life and in death, remaining the Queen's Company until King Charles decides otherwise.

"Their duties will then be transitioned to the next monarch."

Major Johnny Hathaway-White, 36, from Wiltshire, will lay the Camp Colour of the Captain of the Queen's Company at Windsor Castle after it is placed on to a catafalque — a raised platform.

It had been prepared at the regimental headquarters of the Grenadier Guards, London's Wellington Barraxks.

The colour was presented to the Grenadier Guards by the sovereign after the queen became the monarch. It was paraded only in her presence and has never been changed or replaced.

On the day the queen died, September 8, the unit was stationed in Iraq and was returned from operations.

Traditionally, soldiers of the Queen’s Company had to be more than six feet tall (almost 1.83m), and the Queen’s Company Stick was used as the minimum measurement applicants were expected to reach.

Famed for their red tunics and elongated bearskin hats, the Grenadier Guards are a well-known sight at Buckingham Palace and Windsor and play a ceremonial role in protecting the monarch.

They are also used as a light infantry in combat roles and are ready to be stationed anywhere in the world at short notice.

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Updated: September 21, 2022, 9:35 AM