Proud Mom Surprised To See Her Son Carrying Queen Elizabeth’s Coffin At Her Funeral

Sep 27, 2022 by apost team

The mother of one of Queen Elizabeth II’s pallbearers was caught by surprise but felt “beyond proud” when she discovered her teenage son was taking part in the funeral of the late monarch.

David Sanderson, who hails from Morpeth in North East England, was among the eight soldiers who carried the queen’s coffin during her funeral in London and Windsor on Sept. 19, 2022. Like the other pallbearers, the 19-year-old is a member of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.

Because of the privacy surrounding the military as well as the monarchy, the Sanderson family was not told ahead of time that David would be participating in the ceremony. It was only after looking at pictures of the rehearsal released by MailOnline that mother Carolyn and father Peter made the discovery.

“We didn’t actually know anything because it was all private to the army. We were looking at some photographs of the rehearsal and my husband said it looked like our David,” Carolyn said, adding, “I looked and said ‘of course it is!’ It’s just wonderful. I think I’ve discovered a new emotion.”

Expressing her pride at having her son bear such an “enormous responsibility,” she said she was “beyond proud. It has just been amazing. I still can’t believe it happened.”

Father Peter was just as proud, telling the outlet: “The Grenadiers was in his blood, it’s all he has ever wanted to do. His grandfather served with the Queen’s Company, joining in 1958, so David was very aware of the history of the regiment.”

“When he got in he can’t have imagined he’d end up performing that particular duty, but he has and it’s an achievement he can be proud of for the rest of his life,” Peter said.

While the Sandersons had yet to speak to David since the remarkable discovery, they were sure he would get a warm welcome upon his return home.

“I imagine when he gets back to Morpeth there’ll be a few people offering to buy him a drink and he deserves it, he did us all proud,” Peter told MailOnline.

“It was an incredible honour to be chosen for that role, the enormity of it is hard to comprehend, but David has taken it in his stride and performed his duty to perfection. It’s nice to hear people saying that they ought to receive an honour but I know that David will simply say ‘It was my duty’ and he won’t ask any more than that,” Peter added.

“He’ll be back on leave before his next deployment and I can’t wait to see him just to tell how immensely proud he has made us.”

Britain’s longest-reigning monarch passed away on Sept. 8, 2022. That same day, Elizabeth’s eldest son, King Charles III, ascended the throne.

The queen’s body first lay in state at Westminster Hall, where the public paid their respects. She was buried at the King George VI memorial chapel, the resting place of her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, and her sister, Princess Margaret. Prince Philip was also interred, joining Elizabeth at the memorial chapel. 

During the funeral, David supported the front left of the 500lbs lead-lined casket. His mother said watching him undertake his duty brought her to tears.

“I had just stopped crying about the queen and I started crying about David,” she said. 

“Seeing him on the television going to Westminster Abbey was just amazing, I just lost it – that’s our David,” Carolyn added.

“They were all brilliant, I think it was perfect.”

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What do you think of the Sanderson family’s surprise discovery about David? Did you follow the queen’s solemn and dignified funeral processions? Let us know and pass this on to family and friends.