Page 132 - RSDG Year of 2023

130 EAGLE AND CARBINE
THE KING’S BODY GUARD FOR SCOTLAND, ROYAL COMPANY OF ARCHERS
The death and funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022 and the subsequent Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III in 2023 were momentous occasions in so many ways and involved a multitude of organisations including the Regiment which took part in both events.
The Royal Company of Archers, familiarly known as The Royal Company, is the Sovereign’s Body Guard in Scotland. Immediately on Her Majesty The Queen’s death, The Queen’s Body Guard for Scotland, Royal Company of Archers to give it its full name, became The King’s Body Guard for Scotland, Royal Company of Archers. It can trace its origins back to 1676 and was officially appointed the Sovereign’s Personal Body Guard in Scotland in 1822. Amongst its members are a number of serving and retired members of the Regiment. It played a prominent role in both the funeral of The Queen and events linked to the Coronation of The King.
THE FUNERAL OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
Operation LONDON BRIDGE was the overarching name of the plan for the death of The Queen and Operation UNICORN was the Scottish element of it. There were many parts and phases to both operations and the Royal Company had little time to pull everyone together for the various roles they were assigned in Edinburgh as part of Operation UNICORN and then in London as part of Operation LONDON BRIDGE. Members of the Regiment were involved in most aspects of both operations. For the record, the following took part:
• 11 September- Proclamation Parade at Mercat Cross, Edinburgh – Brigadier Johnny Biggart.
• 12 September – Parade at the Palace of Holyroodhouse for the arrival of His Majesty The King and then the escort for Her Majesty The Queen’s Coffin from there to St Giles’ Cathedral for the Service of Thanksgiving and subsequent Lying-at-Rest- Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Jamie Melville.
• 12 September- On duty at the West Door of St Giles’ Cathedral for arrival of Her Majesty The Queen’s
Capt Richard MacLure (right) on vigil in Westminster Hall
Coffin and the Service of Thanksgiving- Captain (Retd) Rory Maclachlan.
• 12-13 September – Member of Vigil in St Giles’ Cathedral for the Lying-at-Rest following the Service of Thanksgiving - Captain (Retd) Andrew Linehan, Captain (Retd) Christian Melville, Captain (Retd) Richard MacLure and Captain (Retd) Will Ramsay. Indeed, Will Ramsay was on vigil when Her Majesty’s four children joined the Vigil for a period.
• 13 September -Member of Guard of Honour outside St Giles’ Cathedral as Her Majesty The Queen’s Coffin left to be taken to London-Captain (Retd) Alex Matheson.
• 15 September—Member of Vigil in Westminster Hall which included the Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon Ben Wallace and the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Rt Hon Alister Jack, both members of The Royal Company - Lieutenant Colonel Jamie Halford-Macleod
• 19 September- Member of Vigil for Lying-in-State in Westminster Hall – Captain (Retd) Richard MacLure
• 19 September- Member of Vigil for Lying-in-State in Westminster Hall which included being on the very last Vigil which ended at 0630hrs- Brigadier Johnny Biggart
Maj JMK Erskine MBE