The Prince and Princess of Wales have expressed their gratitude to Australian Defence Force (ADF) members training for Monday’s funeral service for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Their Royal Highnesses conducted an unofficial visit to the Pirbright Army Barracks, south west of London, to personally thank Commonwealth troops from Australia, Canada and New Zealand for being part of the funeral ceremony.
The Head of Australia’s Defence Mission in London, Brigadier Grant Mason, greeted the Prince and Princess of Wales when they arrived at the parade ground.
“I told Their Royal Highnesses that we were grateful for the opportunity pay tribute to The Queen,” Brigadier Mason said.
“The 39 members of the contingent have been training day and night to prepare for the funeral procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch.”
The Royal couple then spent time speaking with a number of the marching contingent, including Captain Joshua Downs.
“It was an honour to meet them. I truly appreciated the fact that they had taken time out to show their support for us despite Prince William having only just lost his grandmother,” Captain Downs said.
“Their concern for us in preparing for the funeral was incredibly touching.”
Lieutenant Commander Kara Wansbury said she got a chance to speak with the Prince of Wales.
“Prince William told me that his grandmother had been involved in a lot of the planning for the funeral and that she would be watching from above. He said that he was steeling himself for Monday,” Lieutenant Commander Wansbury said.
Leading Aircraftwoman Carla Russell was last in London for the Jubilee celebrations and said The Prince and Princess of Wales were very welcoming.
“I told them that this is will be a special moment for me that I will cherish my whole life,” she said.
The couple also met and thanked troops from Canada and New Zealand who are taking part before some of the New Zealand contingent delivered a Haka to Their Royal Highnesses.
