The mother of one of the pallbearers at the Queen's funeral has revealed that she had 'no idea' her son would be carrying the coffin until she saw rehearsal photos online.
David Sanderson, from Morpeth, Northumberland, was one of eight soldiers from the Queen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards to carry the monarch's coffin, which was lead-lined and adorned with brass fittings.
David, 19, did not tell his family he had been selected for the duty, but he and the other seven soldiers drew praise for their execution of the task as millions across the world watched on.
Naturally, David's mum Carolyn was proud of how he handled the 'enormous responsibility'.
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Speaking to MailOnline, she said: "I'm beyond proud. It has just been amazing. I still can't believe it happened.
"We didn't actually know anything because it was all private to the army. We were looking at some photographs of the rehearsal and my husband said it looked like our David. I looked and said 'of course it is!'
"It's just wonderful. I think I've discovered a new emotion.
"Seeing him on the television going to Westminster Abbey was just amazing. I just lost it – that's our David. They were all brilliant, I think it was perfect."
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On the day the Queen died, the unit was deployed on operations in Iraq but returned to take part in the ceremonial events.
David's father, Peter, 56, said: "The Grenadiers was in his blood, it's all he has ever wanted to do. His grandfather served with the Queen's Company, joining in 1958, so David was very aware of the history of the regiment.
"But he wasn't following in anyone's footsteps, he's his own man with his own ambitions and he wanted to be part of the history and prestige of the Queen's Company.
"When he got in he can't have imagined he'd end up performing that particular duty, but he has an it's an achievement he can be proud of for the rest of his life."
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He continued: "I imagine when he gets back to Morpeth there'll be a few people offering to buy him a drink and he deserves it, he did us all proud.
"It was an incredible honour to be chosen for that role, the enormity of it is hard to comprehend, but David has taken it in his stride and performed his duty to perfection.
"It's nice to hear people saying that they ought to receive an honour but I know that David will simply say 'It was my duty' and he won't ask any more than that.
"He'll be back on leave before his next deployment and I can't wait to see him just to tell how immensely proud he has made us.
Topics: UK News, The Queen, Royal Family
Jake Massey