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Fife piper’s pride as tune played at Queen’s funeral is performed across the world

A Fife bagpiper whose own lament in memory of his late brother was played at the Queen’s funeral last month has told of his pride after musicians around the world added it to their repertoires.

Former Scots Guards Pipe Major James Banks, from Markinch, composed ‘Salute To Willie The Royal Fendersmith’ after his older brother died in 1995, aged just 49.

Willie had worked at Windsor Castle as royal fendersmith – lighting the fires and cleaning and repairing the fenders for the castle’s 300 fireplaces – for a decade before his tragic death in a swimming accident in the Thames.

Shock after pipe tune played at Queen’s funeral

James, 75, told how he was shocked when the tune was played by the Queen’s personal piper while her coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault beneath St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on September 19.

Now it has become famous across the world with pipers and bands from Australia to Canada playing it – and keeping Willie’s memory alive.

James, a piping judge at the Mod in Perth, said: “Since the Queen’s funeral, there are bands from New Zealand and Australia to Canada playing it now, which is an honour.

“Pipers from around the world have been in touch and one of my colleagues in the piping world said to me ‘it must be the most listened to bagpipe tune ever’.

“I was judging the solo piping at the Mod in Perth the other day and people were saying they liked the tune, so it’s becoming well-known across the piping world.”

James (left) and Scots Guard Commander Gregor MacGregor meeting the Queen in 1967. Image: James Banks

James was first introduced to the Queen in 1967 as a young piper in the Scots Guards and met her on and off for many years.

He was a “Royal Household piper” and performed at state banquets.

After retiring he became Pipe Major for the Scots Guards Association and performed for Her Majesty at receptions at Balmoral.

He was awarded an MBE in 2015 for services to piping.

‘The Queen liked Willie’

His brother Willie, also from Markinch, was a “real character” in the Scots Guards before he worked for the Queen at Windsor Castle.

James said: “The Queen liked Willie.

“She saw him most days at Windsor and even allowed his funeral to take place in St George’s Chapel.

“I was feeling sad and wrote a tune, which I named after him, ‘Salute to Willie the Royal Fendersmith’. I recorded it after Willie’s funeral.”

James hopes people will come to know the tune’s background. Image: James Banks

James added: “The Queen liked the tune and used to ask for it often from her piper.

“I’m also reliably informed she would ask for it whenever she had dos at Balmoral.

“It was played at the Tattoo when the Queen was in attendance and also as the inspection music during the Trooping of the Colour one year. But I was shocked when it was played as the Queen was laid to rest — I never expected that but what an honour.”

It is understood the Queen requested the tune for her service before she died.

James played for the Queen on numerous occasions at Balmoral. Image: James Banks

James said: “It was played by the Queen’s personal piper, and I should say he did a very good job. Sitting watching, it was quite a moment.

“It’s a tune that means so much to me. I’ve seen it played by the Massed Bands at the Edinburgh Tattoo and it was magnificent, but to hear it played by a lone piper – that’s how it was meant to be.”

He added: “It will be remembered from the Queen ‘s funeral but it was composed as a tribute to Willie and I hope people will come to know its background.

“I hope more bands around the world will take it up and play it.”

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