ONE OF the few privileged people invited to the funeral of Her Majesty The Queen has spoken about the poignant day with residents at Royal Star & Garter in Surbiton.
Chair Major General Tim Tyler discussed the Westminster Abbey service and the historic days that preceded it following the death of The Queen, when he visited the care home recently.
Major General Tyler was representing the charity, for whom Queen Elizabeth II became its patron in 1953, at the state funeral, and was one of only 2,000 mourners in the Abbey.
He said: “Representing the charity and our residents at Her Majesty’s funeral was one of the proudest moments of my life, but of course it was also terribly sad and emotional.
“We were lucky to have The Queen as our Patron for nearly 70 years. I know residents here loved her dearly, and are upset at the news of her death. Spending time with them and sharing my experience of the funeral is important.”
Major General Tyler spent time at the Surbiton home talking to fellow veterans, listened to their thoughts and feelings surrounding The Queen’s death, as well as sharing his experience of the funeral.
And he gifted to the charity his order of service and ceremonial programme booklets received at the funeral, for residents to view and read through, across Royal Star & Garter’s three homes.