Shropshire Royal Marine to carry Prince Philip's coffin while son will also play key role at funeral
A Shropshire father will be carrying Prince Philip's coffin at his funeral, while his son will also be among the military personnel.
Royal Marines drill instructor Colour Sergeant Graham Tait, of Oswestry, will be a bearer for the Duke of Edinburgh at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.
His son, Able Seaman Sam Tait, 17, a Royal Navy aircraft engineer technician from St Georges, Telford, will be the youngest forces representative ceremony on Saturday, standing to attention outside the castle.
Sam's mum Andrea said: "It is a huge honour and a privilege, and they understand that."
There is a long military history in the family. Sam, who is based at HMS Heron in Yeovil, Somerset, is doing the same job at the same location as his late great-grandfather Peter Moth did many years ago, and was so keen to join the forces he signed up at the Shrewsbury recruitment centre in the Square on the first day he could, aged 15 and nine months.
Philip was the guiding force behind his funeral arrangements and, reflecting his life-long association with the Royal Navy, Buglers of the Royal Marines will sound Action Stations during the service at the duke’s request.
It is played on a warship to signal all hands should go to battle stations and is sometimes featured at the funerals of naval men.
A reduced choir of just four singers will feature during the service and the guests will follow Covid rules and not sing.
Members of the royal family will walk behind Philip’s coffin as it is taken into St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, where the funeral will take place at 3pm.
Buckingham Palace has confirmed the Queen, like all 30 guests invited to the service, will wear a face mask during the funeral, which will last for 50 minutes.
Buckingham Palace previously said the Queen had to make “difficult decisions” about who would attend the funeral, due to Covid-19 restrictions limiting mourners.
The monarch will be sitting by herself in the quire of St George’s Chapel, with all mourners following Covid guidelines and remaining socially distanced.
She will be joined by a lady-in-waiting for the short car journey to the place of worship from the Castle.
Among the guests are all of the duke’s children and grandchildren and their spouses, the children of the Queen’s sister Princess Margaret, and three of Philip’s German relatives: Bernhard, the Hereditary Prince of Baden; Prince Donatus, Landgrave of Hesse; and Prince Philipp of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.
Also invited is a close friend of the duke, Countess Mountbatten of Burma, previously known as Lady Romsey and later Lady Brabourne, who was Philip’s carriage driving partner.
Buckingham Palace previously confirmed that royal men will wear morning coats with their medals while the women will wear day dresses.
