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

[Wenwes]

Such responsibility, and they all looked so young.

Maybe they were women? Who are we to decide how they identify

I used to work in Wellington Barracks. As pps have said they will be tall and smart (not everyone looks smart dressed in home service clothing -red tunic).

they will also be well behaved to prevent them having to be removed at short notice for (eg) inappropriate social media posts or something like this Philips funeral

I was impressed by the Duke of Gloucester; he walked and he is 78.

Gosh yes they were bloody amazing, and all looked so young.
I was in awe watching them doing such an amazing job, how proud must their families be?

I thought they were amazing. What an honour.
I couldn’t help thinking though, what if one of them tripped. Can you imagine?!

SenecaFallsRedux 78 isn't old if you have been able to keep yourself fit and healthy. I know an 87 year old who still runs a few miles a day.

But yes, I saw a bit of the procession on the 'net. The soldiers did an excellent job.

That must have been tremendously difficult, I'm sorry for your loss. You did your husband proud.

I thought a few of them were going to pass out!

@minou123 is the pillow it's on top of also pinned to the coffin?

78 isn't old if you have been able to keep yourself fit and healthy. I know an 87 year old who still runs a few miles a day.

Come on, that's a bit disingenuous. 78 is undoubtedly old. One really old person running is not a benchmark.

As someone else has sat, I expect they had to be almost the same height, otherwise there would have been some undignified tilting.
They all did splendidly and should be very proud of themselves. Imagine what a story to tell their grandchildren.

"LubaLuca* but loads of 78 year olds could walk a mile or two. How far was it?

Maybe. I'm don't really know. I just sort of assumed it was pinned, just incase it slipped off.

78 isn't old if you have been able to keep yourself fit and healthy. I know an 87 year old who still runs a few miles a day
Oh please, give over. That's insulting to those people who are not as fit as they used to be. It's called normal ageing. I have a relative who spouts this sort of thing. She said of her ex husband who died, "Well, he didn't look after himself."

It wasn’t just walking though - it was walking in ceremonial uniform, on a warm day, to a very particular and sustained rhythm, dealing with bereavement and with millions of people watching.

I think most of the armed forces watching on TV or whatever all said at the same time, what are they doing?? Before Hue must have read the nations mind and explained reverse arms.

I've served 25yrs and done 1 funeral, my husband 26yrs and done 3 funerals and we have never seen this drill movement!. It was rather spectacular to witness.

Google suggests that this drill movement is common in Commonwealth countries so it may have been the Queens nod to them.....

Thank you @Eloise38 - I wanted to do it for him but I’ve had better days it must be said :(.

@CombatBarbie its defo part of a British state funeral procession, backward on your arms reverse.

That’s interesting, thank you. You and your dh have served a long time between you!

I never suggested it wasn't, I don't recall seeing it as Prince Philips or Queen Mothers funeral that's all. It's certainly not something I was taught on weapon or funeral drill, but was beautiful to see.

It's used for funeral processions so not sure you'd use it for a standard military funeral? I was ushering at one yesterday and there was a lower on your arms reverse by the guard of honour but no procession so no need for it in motion.

Not a threat to your service, pls chill out. Working at Welly B taught me a lot of niche household division/drill trivia, the only time it's ever come in useful is knowing what year the Coldstream guards were formed for a pub quiz.

Also they had to carry her up the wheelchair ramp rather than the steps of St Giles, you could really see the strain in their faces as they were going ‘up hill’. The poor Lad at the front looked like he was going to burst a blood vessel.

But I agree, They all did a bloody amazing Job, both in Scotland and England.

I don't think they were officially State Funerals though were they? Only reigning monarchs get them in the UK. If I recall rightly the QM and PP's funerals were "ceremonial" rather than "state" so maybe not subject to exactly the same protocol?

IIRC, the queen mother's carriage had an escort, not a guard of honour so they weren't armed & therefore can't reverse arms. Prince Phillip's funeral
didnt have a procession as such did it? Can't quite remember but a bespoke covid funeral.

As a young army cadet my uncle played a very visible role in JFKs funeral.
The first cadets back from leave that day were chosen.