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Following their central role in the late Queen's funeral last year, the team of eight pallbearers – including a former Grainville student from Jersey – earned a spot in Wimbledon's prestigious Royal Box this weekend.
The soldiers from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards were invited to the tennis tournament on Saturday, sitting alongside four of the Lionesses who won the European Women's Championships in 2022.
Former Grainville student Fletcher Cox the youngest member of a group of eight soldiers chosen to act as pallbearers at Her Majesty’s State Funeral last year.
The role our Uniformed & Armed Services have played in the funeral of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been amazing. Such dedication, precision & poise. Particularly proud of Jersey man & Grenadier Guard Fletcher Cox who carried the royal coffin. pic.twitter.com/qJxpbUEOG8
— Kristina Moore (@Moore4Jersey) September 19, 2022
Wimbledon's presenter Clare Balding introduced the soldiers during Saturday's event on day six of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon.
She said: "Alongside the Royal Box we are also particularly proud this year to welcome and thank the team of 11 members of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards who so nobly acted as pallbearers at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
"And to the Ensign for the escort of Her Majesty's procession in London who carried the Queen's company colour, the Royal Standard of the regiment, for Her Majesty's funeral in Windsor."
Despite being just 19 years old at the time of the Queen's funeral, Fletcher was praised by Jersey's Bailiff and Chief Minister for his key role.
Pictured: Bailiff and Acting Lieutenant-Governor Sir Timothy Le Cocq watches the pallbearers carry Her Majesty's coffin out of Westminster Abbey at the end of the State Funeral service.
Bailiff Sir Timothy Le Cocq, who was at the Queen's funeral in his capacity as the island's Acting Lieutenant-Governor, said: "It seemed appropriate somehow that a person from Jersey had a key role in bearing the coffin of the Her Majesty the Queen, because of the deep relationship we have with the crown, it just seemed to resonate properly.
"It must be terribly nerve-racking for them to get the step exactly right, and to do things by the inch. But obviously as these things are done they're done brilliantly."
In 2018, Fletcher was awarded the the Lieutenant-Governor's medal, the highest accolade a Jersey cadet can achieve.
Aged just 16, he left the island to undertake military training in the UK.
Pictured: Fletcher Cox at Government House, where he received an accolade from the Lieutenant-Governor alongside Peter Langlois and Aldo Sappe. (Simon Langlois)
Not only was the islander responsible for conveying the Queen's coffin to the Westminster Hall catafalque, but also for carefully carrying it into Westminster Abbey for the State Funeral service and for transferring it onto the gun carriage to start the long procession to Wellington Arch.
Earlier this year, the eight pallbearers were also awarded the silver Royal Victorian Medal, in appreciation of their royal duties.
As well as Fletcher, the pallbearers' included Lance Sergeant Alex Turner, Lance Sergeant Elias Orlowski, Lance Corporal Tony Flynn, Lance Sergeant Ryan Griffiths, Guardsman James Patterson, Guardsman Luke Simpson, and Guardsman David Sanderson.
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