The eight soldiers are included in a special honours list for people who served the monarch or Royal Family in a personal way.
Piers Morgan says Queen’s pallbearers should receive MBEs
The soldiers were named as recipients of honours under the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) in recognition of their service to the Queen, as part of a special set of Demise awards.
Awards under the RVO are the King’s gift and are bestowed independently of Downing Street to people who have served the monarch or the royal family in a personal way.
The soldiers carried the coffin, which was draped in the Royal Standard, as millions of people around the world watched the ceremony last September.
Queen Elizabeth’s pallbearers have been honoured by King Charles (Image: GETTY)
Pallbearers ascend the steps at Windsor Castle (Image: Getty)
The work of the eight soldiers was highlighted during the broadcast of the Queen’s funeral, with viewers describing themselves as holding their breath when the guardsmen had to carry the coffin up the steps to the West Door of St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
Tory former minister Eddie Hughes said: “I held my breath for every step… These lads are amazing.”
Fellow Tory MP Tom Hunt said at the time: “I can’t imagine how hard and emotionally challenging it must have been to have carried Her Late Majesty’s coffin just once.
“They’ve done it time and time again this week. With billions watching.
Members of the public file past the Queen’s coffin last year (Image: Getty)
“They’ve done Her Late Majesty and the country proud.”
Carla Lockhart, Upper Bann’s DUP MP, said: “Amid the pageantry and occasion, eight young men silently went about their duty.
“The weight of the world on their shoulders, the glare of the world on them, but they were flawless.
“They did themselves, their families and our country proud. Thank you.”
Source: EXPRESS CO UK
