Princess Royal meets sailors to offer personal thanks

The Princess Royal visited Portsmouth Naval Base today to offer her personal thanks to sailors involved in Her Majesty the Queen’s funeral.

Her Royal Highness Princess Anne spoke to the men and women about their role hauling the State Ceremonial Gun Carriage bearing the Queen’s coffin and lining the streets of London and Windsor.

More than a thousand sailors and Royal Marines were on duty at the funeral on Monday, alongside RAF and British Army personnel.

Leading Engineering Technician (LET) Benjamin Tetley was one of 142 sailors responsible for pulling the gun carriage.

“It was an honour to meet Her Royal Highness Princess Anne,” he said. “It was a lovely personal touch that she came down in person to thank personnel involved.

“I was really honoured to be involved in carrying the gun carriage, I don't think there’s a more personal part to have played. Everyone had a sense of purpose and put all their effort in.

“The Royal Navy is steeped in tradition and we helped upkeep that. To be part of that history and tradition is truly an honour.”

LET Tim Lavender, based at HMS Sultan in nearby Gosport, managed a team of nine sailors working on the gun crew movement and management.

He added: “I felt very honoured. If you put the Royal Navy and us sailors under pressure, we come together and we get job done.

Aircraft Engineer Connor Scotney was a street liner in Windsor. He said: “I felt honoured that the Princess Royal took the time out to thank us for all we did.

“My family are all very proud of me and the part I played in the funeral.”