How do they decide which lads get to be the Queen’s coffin bearers?

[Wenwes]

Such responsibility, and they all looked so young.

Draw names from a hat?

Strong lads.

They all deserve a medal!

Matching set for height?

Rock, paper, scissors

Yes! They were amazing.
I expect the scenes have been replayed by their proud families a few times by now.

At least a couple of them looked terrified!

Probably the most trustworthy and best at drill.

I was wondering this too and was just saying earlier what a job they've got there, carrying the queen in her coffin with the whole world watching every move.
I imagine they'd have to pick the most confident but saying that their job alone surely would give them the confidence to carry out this sort of thing.
Every single one of the queens men have done her proud though they've been great.

They did look terrified didn’t they although I suppose their expressions had to be fixed.

:)

When I was watching bbc they said it was the tallest lads who get picked 🤷🏽‍♀️

All done by best fit of height in order to not rock the coffin when moving. It's lead lined as well so a lot heavier than standard ones.

They do practise with a fake one but being in direct limelight in front of the world knowing what your carrying and to have the crown on top.... They done an amazing job!

I just did a quick google and read that the casket is sveral times the weight of a person becaouse of the reinforced coffin and brass fittings.

Maybe they volunteer ?
I remember watching Prince Phillips funeral and they carried the coffin up. some steps and I think they had a moment, s silence
I did think what if one of them tripped?

I can’t begin to imagine how nerve wracking that must’ve been :(. I helped to carry my dh’s coffin and it was terrifying, emotional, heavy, and just plain difficult.

They have a juggling competition and the ones that drop the balls the least get to carry the coffin.

They are selected by height and strength.

So they all need to be above 6ft and similar measurements to the shoulder.

Then they also need to be physically strong and fit, more so than your average man.

The weight each is carrying to spread the load is about 31+kg so not a easy weight to take on one shoulder.

Best at drill is also a big consideration.

The one's with the best balance and strength, I would think. They must need a medical beforehand too?

I was also wondering this. Some of them had ranks on their arm but others didn't. Not only did they have to carry the coffin but they also had to balance the crown on top of it!

The thing that touches me most about what they do, same when the DOE was buried too, was the moving of the flag draping the coffin to put it on the plinth and when putting it on the carrige. So carefully and precisely done.

It’s done by height primarily and then they are put forward based on how good of a soldier they are.

Is there a historical reason for the lead lining does anyone know?

So they must’ve had to pass some sort of fitness assessment as well then?

I thought the walk from Buckingham Palace to Westminster must’ve taken a lot out of Charles and Ann - they’re both in their 70’s after all. And a couple of times in Westminster, Charles looked as if he was swaying on his feet.

I kind of assumed the crown is secured somehow on top of the coffin, rather than perched.

Not in a "super glue" way, more sort of pins, iyswin.

It's because they're not buried, but interred in a vault. If you are buried above ground (so to speak) the coffin has to be lined and completely sealed.