King to honour sailors with medals and parade for role at late Queen’s funeral
Around 150 Royal Naval personnel will march into the Windsor Castle quadrangle to personally received their accolades from the monarch on Tuesday.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Royal Naval personnel who played a key role in Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral procession are to be honoured by the King with a special parade and medal presentation at Windsor Castle.
The monarch will personally present around 150 servicemen and women with their Royal Victorian Order honours in an outdoor ceremony on Tuesday in recognition of the duties they carried out in tribute to his late mother last September.
Recipients include more than 100 of the Naval Ratings who pulled the Queen’s coffin in the procession on a 123-year-old gun carriage using ropes – a tradition dating back to the funeral of Queen Victoria.
The striking sight of the sailors in their distinctive uniforms with blue and white collars and white caps, marching in unison and acting as the Sovereign’s Guard, was one of the defining images of the day.
The Royal Naval personnel were appointed to the Royal Victorian Order by Charles in March as part of the Demise Honours list, which is traditionally published following the death of a monarch to recognise those who have provided personal service to the late sovereign.
Joined by a military band, they will parade into the castle’s quadrangle via the George IV Gate, and onto the quadrangle grass, with the King taking a royal salute on a dais.
The monarch, joined by the First Sea Lord, will then present each recipient with their medal individually as he greets the sailors as they stand in formation.
The late Queen’s funeral on September 19 and preceding lying-in-state cost the UK Government an estimated £161.7 million, figures have shown.
The largest cost was reported by the Home Office at £73.7 million, followed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) at £57.4 million, while Ministry of Defence costs came to £2.9 million.
Royal Victorian Order honours are in the King’s personal gift, bestowed independently of Downing Street, and are awarded for service to the royal family.