Military rehearsals ahead of the Queen’s funeral on Monday are continuing.
Chief of the General Staff General Sir Patrick Sanders, told BBC Radio 4, that the procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner after the funeral will be an “incredible sight”.
“The procession itself will be like nothing any of us have seen in our lifetimes”, the Head of the Army told the Today Programme.
He added: “It’s obviously a first and will bring together all the elements of the Armed Forces, all those who serve in a procession that I hope will be precise and will be immaculate, but it’s taking us a lot of practice to get it right as you’d expect.”
Yesterday evening, UK’s service chiefs, led by Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, stood vigil at Her Majesty The Queen’s coffin in Westminster Hall – paying their respects to the late Sovereign.
Joining the CDS and General Sanders were the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston and the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sir Ben Key.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) also posted a “Thank you, Ma’am” message.
General Sanders added that “there’s a real sense of the Commonwealth family coming together, you know, we serve alongside each other on operations, Kiwi’s, Australians…and now we’re marching alongside each other in this remarkable procession, and there’s a genuine sense of family.”
In total, approximately 5,949 UK Armed Forces personnel will have deployed on ceremonial duties throughout the course of Operation London Bridge, the codename for the funeral plan following the Queen’s death.
Service Chiefs lead by Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin stood vigil at HM The Queen’s coffin as she lies in state in Westminster Hall.
The First Sea Lord Sir Ben Key paid his respects to Her Majesty The Queen. pic.twitter.com/roO7hPCQRI— Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) September 17, 2022
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