Communities across Tayside and Fife are “bursting with pride” after locals took on key roles at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
The eyes of the world were on London where a state funeral for the Queen took place following her death at Balmoral on September 8.
Among the thousands who featured in the elaborate service were a small group of people from across Tayside and Fife.
Meanwhile, dignitaries from our regions also joined royals and world leaders for the occasion.
Emma Duncan and Amie Flett profile those who played their part.
Paul Burns
The Royal Regiment of Scotland Pipe Major, the Queen’s personal piper, played a key role in her funeral.
The Montrose man took up the role last year and had the job of playing under Her Majesty’s window at 9am for 15 minutes, including on her final morning at Balmoral.
He closed the service at Westminster Abbey with a traditional lament and then gave a moving performance at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle while the coffin was lowered into the royal vault.
He also played at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh as the Queen’s coffin left for London.
Allan Campbell
Allan, a senior drum major with the Royal Regiment of Scotland, led the bagpipes section of the funeral procession which saw Her Majesty’s coffin transported from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey.
The father of two is no stranger to royal processions, having led the massed pipes and drums at the Platinum Jubilee pageant earlier this summer.
Lochgelly, Cardenden and Bernarty councillor Lea McLelland, has known Allan since he was a child.
She said: “The whole community is completely bursting with pride whether you are a royalist or not. Everyone has come together.
“I can’t express just how absolutely bursting I am for him. I’m not a royalist but was watching it thinking ‘you’re ours’.
“I want to say this is the pinnacle of his career.
“I put a post on social media and the comments and shares show how immensely proud Benarty and Ballingry are.
“His two girls will be watching the funeral on TV knowing their dad is playing such a huge, key part in laying the Queen to rest.”
John Mitchell
John, from Fintry in Dundee, is a piper in the Scots Guards.
The former Harris Academy student, 29, joined the regiment when he was just 16 and now lives in Edinburgh.
Speaking to The Courier, his mum, Lara Mitchell, said she and John’s two sisters are “so proud” to watch him take part.
She said: “John is a pipe sergeant in the Scots Guards’ pipe band and has done a lot of engagements for [the Queen].
“He has been rehearsing for the funeral all this week, doing it through the night.
“He feels honoured to be in Her Majesty’s last journey.”
Alexzandra Neil and John Keith
Dundonian Corporal Neil, who has served in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards for more than 11 years, also took part in the funeral procession.
Alexzandra’s close friend Caroline Foulis said: “We as friends and family are so proud of her and all our service men and women for the service they have given to queen and country, but also remembering all that have gone before us while serving our country.”
She was joined by fellow Dundonian John Keith, who has served with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards for 14 years. He is currently based in Leuchars in Fife, where he lives with his wife and four kids.
John joined the army a few months before his brother Mark, the pair served alongside each other. Mark died from a brain tumour in July and was given a full military funeral.
His mum Moira Philip said: “I was watching the funeral to see if I could spot John amongst those in the procession.
“I had mixed emotions. If Mark was still here I knew he would have been right there in the procession next to his brother.
“We are all so proud of John and I know Mark is too.”
Connor Forgan and Jordan Johnston
Connor from Lumphinnans, found between Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly, is a Royal Navy engineer.
He and Kirkcaldy’s Jordan Johnston could be seen pulling the gun carriage which transported the Queen’s coffin from Westminster Hall where she had been lying in state.
Local councillor Darren Watt said: “This is huge honour and Connor’s family, friends, and the people of Lumphinnans will be incredibly proud.
“Lumphinnans is a very small village but has affable residents and enormous community spirit, and they will all be immensely proud that one of their own has played a integral part on such a momentous and historic day.”
Royal Air Force Central Scotland Pipes & Drums, based in Leuchars, and local members from various battalions of The Highlands Royal Regiments were also involved.
Iain Greenshields
The Right Reverend Dr Greenshields, moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, read a prayer inside the abbey.
Dr Greenshields formed part of the procession of church leaders at the service, which had around 2,000 guests.
He previously served as minister at St Margaret’s Parish Church in Dunfermline. His wife, Linda, is a teacher at Levenmouth Academy in Buckhaven.
Dr Greenshields had spent the weekend with the Queen at Balmoral a few days before she died.
He said: “It was a privilege and a real pleasure to spend time in the company of Her Majesty the Queen.
“She was considerate in every respect and had clearly taken time to understand her guests.
“I was struck by her tremendous recall and her obvious love for Balmoral and indeed Scotland.”
Stephen Leckie
Mr Leckie, Lord Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross – who represents the monarch in the region – was in attendance.
Speaking before the funeral, he told The Courier: “In a strange sort of way I am looking forward to attending.
“It is not about me going, it is about representing the county on behalf of the people.
“I will be taking the wishes of the people of Perth and Kinross.
“As lord lieutenant it is my duty as a working member of the royal household.”
Mr Leckie met the Queen on several occasions.
He added: “From the second you met her she was interested. She had the most amazing, piercing and inquisitive blue eyes and she always knew her stuff about you.”
Pat Sawers
Angus Lord Lieutenant Pat and her husband David attended the service.
Last week she told The Courier: “I had the honour and privilege of being appointed Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Angus in late August 2019 and hopefully would have been able to meet her in 2020.
“Unfortunately, the Covid pandemic meant that was not possible so very sadly I did not have the opportunity to meet the Queen.
“I do think we saw the absolute best in people during the Covid pandemic, people and communities coming together.
“Who can forget the words when she addressed the nation during the pandemic and said, ‘we will meet again’?”
Bill Campbell
As Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost, Bill represented Dundee in an official capacity.
He said last week: “While it is obviously a sad occasion, it is one I am honoured to have been asked to attend so that I can pay respects to her majesty on behalf of the people of Dundee for the final time.”
Fiona Robertson
The Vice Lord Lieutenant of Fife was there on behalf of the kingdom, with Lord Lieutenant Robert Balfour out of the country.
She said: “I met the Queen in 2017 when she opened the Queensferry Crossing.
“I accompanied the Duke of Edinburgh. It was rainy and miserable but when the Queen stepped out of the car her smile lit up a very dreich day.”
Joe Morrow
The Lord Lyon King of Arms, a former Dundee councillor, also took part in proceedings.
It came after he led a public proclamation to announce the accession of King Charles III in Edinburgh.
This week he praised the City of Discovery for how it honoured the Queen after her death, with thousands turning out along the cortege route.
The Lord Lyon said: “I have particular pride in how the city of Dundee played a significant part in that journey.”
He added: “I voice my gratitude to the Lord Provost, (Bill Campbell) and the city’s leaders, for the hospitality displayed as the cortege passed through Dundee.
“I must also speak of the immeasurable pride at the way the people of Dundee reacted.”
Outwith the funeral, Yeoman Warder Tam Reilly from Dundee was one of those who stood guard while Her Majesty lay in state in Westminster Hall.
Usually based at the Tower of London, he said holding vigil was “an absolute honour”.
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