On Friday, The Prince and Princess of Wales visited Army Training Centre Pirbright to meet Troops from the Commonwealth who have been deployed to the UK to take part in the state funeral of Her Majesty The Queen. Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral will be taking place on Monday at Westminster Abbey. The world leaders, Heads, members of the Royal Family, and international dignitaries will be descending on London this weekend to join the Funeral.
Prince William and Princess Catherine met with the troops from Canada, Australia, and New Zealand who have gathered at Pirbright to rehearse their roles in the ceremony. They also met senior representatives of the defense staff and service people from each nation to thank them all for the part they are playing in the State Funeral.
Army Training Centre Pirbright is the UK’s largest basic training establishment for the British Army. The army training center delivers a 14-week training course known as the Common Military Syllabus. It’s completed by all adult recruits who join the Army. Around 1,600 service personnel from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and others are rehearsing in Pirbright, with thousands more located in camps across Berkshire, Hampshire, and the capital.
The various troops that have been deployed to the UK for the funeral are as follows:
- Royal Australian Navy (RAN): The first campaign medal featuring Her Majesty The Queen’s effigy was issued in 1953 on the Korean War Medal. HMAS Vengeance escorted the Royal Yacht through Australian waters during Her Majesty The Queen’s first visit in 1954. In 1986 Her Majesty The Queen honored the RAN’s 75th birthday by dedicating its national memorial in Canberra.
- Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery: Her Majesty The Queen was appointed Colonel-in-Chief in 1953.
- Royal Australian Army Ordinance Corps: Her Majesty The Queen was appointed Colonel-in-Chief in 1953. Her Majesty chose the design for a Sovereign’s Banner for the Corps as part of her Silver Jubilee in 1977.
- Royal Australian Engineers: Her Majesty The Queen assumed the role of Colonel-in-Chief in 1953. The Corps was granted a Sovereign’s Banner during Her Majesty The Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977. One enduring tradition was the Corps always presented Her Majesty The Queen with a dozen roses on her visits to Australia.
- Royal Australian Infantry: Her Majesty The Queen was appointed Colonel-in-Chief in 1953.
- Royal Australian Air Force Reserve: Her Majesty The Queen was Air Commodore-in-Chief.
- 48th Highlanders of Canada: One of the first regiments to have a connection with Her Majesty The Queen, the then Princess Elizabeth was appointed Colonel-in-Chief in 1947.
- Canadian Armed Forces Legal Branch: A Royal Banner was granted in 2021 to mark the Branch’s Centenary.
- Governor General’s Foot Guard: Her Majesty The Queen became Colonel-in-Chief in 1988.
- Régiment de la Chaudière: Princess Elizabeth became Colonel-in-Chief in 1947. Her Majesty hosted the Regiment at a reception at Buckingham Palace in 2006.
- Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers: Her Majesty The Queen was appointed Colonel-in-Chief in 1953.
- Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps: Her Majesty The Queen was appointed Captain-General in 1964.
William and Catherine were welcomed at the Army base with Haka – a Māori ceremonial dance. The Prince of Wales served with the Household Cavalry before transferring his commission to the RAF, and is Colonel of the Irish Guards as well as an Honorary Canadian Ranger. You might remember that Princess Catherine is also an Honorary Canadian Ranger.
The visit came as it was announced that approximately 6,000 service personnel from all three branches of the Armed Forces and from across the Commonwealth will be involved in the processions before and after Monday’s funeral. The Queen’s coffin will be pulled on the State Ceremonial Gun Carriage by members of the Royal Navy, a tradition since the 1901 funeral of Queen Victoria. Royal Canadian Mounted Police—or “Mounties” as they are known—will lead the procession through London after the service from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch.
The Couple told the troops that it’s been strange from just celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee to mourning her and preparing for her funeral in the span of three months.
Keeping up with The Princess of Wales’s look she was wearing her black Catherine Walker military-style coat that she first wore on 2020 Remembrance Day. Catherine had this coat altered again and removed tassel shoulder detailing with epaulette.
Princess Catherine paired the outfit with her Lock & Co Hatters Abney hat that she first wore in 2018 on Remembrance Day. The Duchess paired the outfit with Russell and Bromley 100 Point Blade Heel Court Shoes, Queen’s Diamond and Pearl Small Earrings, and Mulberry Small Amberley Crossbody Black Soft Printed Croc.
Tomorrow it is expected that The Prince and Princess of Wales will join The King and The Queen at Buckingham Palace where a reception and lunch for the Governors-General of the Realms will be hosted. In the evening, The Prince of Wales will mount a vigil at the Palace of Westminster Abbey with The Duke of Sussex and all of Queen Elizabeth II’s Grandchildren. On Sunday, it is expected that Royal Couple will attend the reception for the world leaders and Royals at Buckingham Palace.
Earlier this week, The Royal couple first joined the Family at Buckingham Palace to privately receive the Queen’s Coffin that traveled from Scotland. The Family had one night to bid the beloved Mother, Grandmother, and GreatGrandmother goodbye before handing her over to the State.
On Wednesday, The Royal Family marched a procession from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster where the Queen lies resting in state until Monday morning.
A Service of Prayer and Reflection for the life of The Queen at Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff. pic.twitter.com/SQWHs927pC
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 16, 2022
Today, King Charles and Queen Camilla headed for Wales. Wales was the last leg of the nationwide visits since Charles ascended to the throne. In Wales, the Royal couple attended a service of prayer and reflection at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff before receiving a motion of condolences at the Welsh Parliament, the Senedd, then meeting members of the public at Cardiff Castle. Charles became the Prince of Wales in 1958 and was the longest-serving Prince of Wales.
Today, Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort are in Cardiff, Wales.
Heddiw y mae’r Brenin a’r Frenhines Gydweddog yng Nghaerdydd, Cymru. pic.twitter.com/shYwYAQqNB
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 16, 2022
The Earl and Countess of Wessex issued a tribute to his Mother, the Late Queen Elizabeth II.
“We have been overwhelmed by the tide of emotion that has engulfed us and the sheer number of people who have gone out of their way to express their own love, admiration and respect to such a very special and unique person who was always there for us.”
– The Earl of Wessex
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 16, 2022
The day ended with King Charles holding a vigil at Westminster Abbey with his siblings.
Many members of the Royal Family watched the Royal siblings holding the vigil. Among them were The Queen Consort, The Countess of Wessex, Lady Louise, Mike, and Zara Tindall, Peter Phillips with both of his daughters, Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, and her husband, and members of the extended royal family.
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