Queen Elizabeth II and The Royal Navy

It is an emotional and historic time and also a celebration of the exemplary service the magnificent Queen Elizabeth II has given to us in the United Kingdom and to the world at large. We pay our respects today.

The UK armed forces take the responsibility of pageantry of history and tradition with great pride and honour and it is impressive how stoic and strong the traditions have been held over the years. Royal Navy sailors and marines will perform the honour and tradition of pulling the state ceremonial gun carriage, lining the streets of London at Her Majesty’s state funeral today, Monday 19th September 2022.

It is the duty of the Royal Navy to attend. The Royal Navy have performed at state funerals since the funeral of Queen Victoria in 1901. The then Queen’s coffin was being pulled by horses who got spooked and agitated so Prince Louis of Battenberg ordered the Navy guard of honour to take up and grab the ropes and take her on her final journey. This has now become tradition and has only been used on 7 unique occasions - including Admiral Jacky Fisher’s state funeral on 13th July 1920. Admiral Jacky Fisher’s state funeral was recorded by Pathe News and shows the Royal Navy honouring the devoted Admiral - the one true family who he served and dedicated his life to.

The Royal Navy has been a huge part of the Queen Elizabeth II’s life. She married a naval officer and two of her sons served in the Navy. The gun carriage of the Royal Navy will be pulled by 98 sailors (known as the Sovereign Guard) with 40 sailors marching behind acting as a break. They will walk two miles through London. Admiral Jacky Fisher walked in front of the coffin of King Edward VII as his Aide-de-Camp and friend.

The state funeral gun carriage is held and kept permanently on 24hours readiness at HMS Excellent, Whale Island in Portsmouth.

 Penelope Fisher

19/9/22

Pathe footage of Admiral Jacky’s Funeral

Royal Navy ready for role at Queen’s Funeral

Image - Samuel Regan-Asante @fkaregan