Pallbearers at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral recognised for their service to late monarch

The pallbearers at the late Queen’s funeral have been named as recipients of new honours under the Royal Victorian Order.

As part of a special set of Demise awards, the men, who were drawn from the Armed Forces, have been recognised for their services at the monarch’s funeral.

They were chosen alongside loyal royal household staff and members of the Metropolitan Police in recognition of their service to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The honours list also featured members of the RAF flight crew who transported the Queen’s coffin from Scotland to London.

The Queen’s eight coffin bearers were from a unit of which the late monarch was Company Commander.

Soldiers from the Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, were chosen to lift the coffin during the service at Westminster Abbey and Windsor Castle in September last year.

The men remained in perfect step as they carried the late Queen Elizabeth’s 500lb lead-lined coffin at both services, with both nation and world watching.

They were chosen, according to the Ministry of Defence, for displaying “the highest standard of bearing and turnout” and a deserving nature.

Although a senior officer took day-to-day control of the unit, the former sovereign’s connection with her men was strong, and they paid tribute to her during the service.

Major Adrian Weale, a former British Army soldier, said: “It’s their role to protect her body, both in life and in death, remaining the Queen’s Company until King Charles decides otherwise.

"Their duties will then be transitioned to the next monarch.”

Their duties at the late monarch’s funeral were carried out so impeccably that at the time there were calls from Dan Jarvis and Tobias Elwood and Lord Dannatt, former head of the Army, for the men to receive gongs in the New Year’s Honours List.

The men have now been made recipients of honours under the Royal Victorian Order, bestowed independently from Downing Street as they are in the King’s gift.

• Read more about the secret art of being a royal pallbearer and who carried the late Queen's coffin.