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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Adam May

Brits demand Queen’s pallbearers honoured for carrying 'weight of world' on shoulders

Brits are demanding that the Queen's brave pallbearers are rewarded for flawlessly carrying the "weight of the world" on their shoulders.

The Grenadier Guards had millions watching their every move as they transferred Her Majesty’s lead-lined coffin during her moving and sombre final procession.

The eight soldiers, some of who were just teenagers, from the Queen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, effortlessly carried the 36st casket - with the Crown Jewels on top - for 34 minutes.

At least five of the soldiers had been serving in Iraq when the Queen died and had flown back to play their key role in the historic moment that was watched by hundreds of millions across the globe, the Sun reports.

With rubber-soled boots instead of the usual metal studs to reduce the risk of slipping, they walked exactly 75 steps a minute and there wasn't a wobble in sight.

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is carried out of the Westminster Abbey (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Former Army commander General Lord Richard Dannatt has since suggested they could be awarded the Royal Victorian Order.

“They ought to be recognised," he said.

“The Royal Victorian Order is for personal service to the sovereign and I would suggest you can’t get more personal than carrying the sovereign’s body throughout all the funeral services.”

The pallbearers ranged in rank from guardsman to lance sergeant and they were picked to be the same height so the Queen's coffin remained flat.

The pall bearers carried out their duty perfectly (Getty Images)
The whole world was watching (Getty Images)

David Sanderson and Fletcher Cox, both 19, and Luke Simpson were among the pallbearers as Her Majesty was laid to rest after a record-breaking 70 years on the throne.

The group were led by Afghanistan war veteran Dean Jones, 45, who walked in front of the coffin and, while the group were said to be nervous, they showed nerves of steel on the day.

The brave team first emerged from Westminster Hall at 10.30am on Monday where the Queen had been lying in state before transferring the coffin onto a gun carriage for the short journey to the state funeral at Westminster Abbey.

At least five of the soldiers had been serving in Iraq when the Queen died (via REUTERS)
They effortlessly climbed the steep steps of St George's Chapel (via REUTERS)

After this, they carried the late sovereign's coffin up the aisle of Westminster Abbey for the service and then back out again and onto the gun carriage as it was marched up the The Mall and Constitution Hill to Wellington Arch.

The soldiers then moved the coffin into a hearse before it was driven to Windsor and up the Long Walk where thousands had gathered for a final send-off.

They then proceeded to carry the coffin up the steep steps of St George’s Chapel for the Queen's committal service.

Their last job of the day was to move Queen Elizabeth to her final resting place beside Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, in the vault under St George’s Chapel after the family held a private ceremony in the evening.

The public have been full of praise for the eight soldiers involved (Getty Images)

Lee Anderson, Conservative MP for Ashfield, also offered his praise for all the boys, including those who hailed from his area of Nottinghamshire.

He said: "Ashfield Lads. Luke [Simpson] and Aaron doing their duty and making their families and the whole of Ashfield feel incredibly proud. Serving Queen and country."

Facebook group Spotted: Long Eaton identified Dean Jones as one of the pallbearers. It read: "We spotted one of our own Long Eaton boys, Dean Jones, lead Her Majesty's coffin pallbearers with complete calmness and total professionalism. Long Eaton salutes you Sir."

Former Army commander General Lord Richard Dannatt has suggested they could be awarded the Royal Victorian Order (Getty Images)

Social media users rushed to thank the lads for their unwavering service - with some suggesting they should never have to buy a pint again.

TV presenter Dan Walker tweeted: "I don’t know about you but I held my breath for most of this part… well done lads. Trusted shoulders, nerves of steel."

Another echoed: "Their former Colonel in Chief will be proud of them, not a single bead of sweat."

While a third said: "8 young lads that should never have to pay for a pint again. Talk about doing your country proud. Nodoubt an honour for them to have the task of carrying the Queen, but to complete it with the strength, dignity and composure they gave today was unbelievable!"

Another user wrote: "They did amazingly well, a job they would have been honoured to do but petrified to take on."

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