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The island’s Bailiff and Chief Minister have praised a 19-year-old from Jersey who carried Her Majesty’s coffin during yesterday’s State Funeral.
Former Grainville student Fletcher Cox was part of a group from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards chosen to act as pallbearers.
The Instruments of State; the Imperial State Crown and the Orb and Sceptre have remained with Her Majesty’s coffin.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 19, 2022
At the Committal Service, they were placed on the
High Altar at St George's Chapel. pic.twitter.com/fDFQLSSmP1
In 2018, he was awarded the the Lieutenant-Governor's medal, the highest accolade a Jersey cadet can achieve.
Aged just 16, he left the island to undertake military training in the UK.
Pictured: Fletcher Cox at Government House, where he received an accolade from the Lieutenant-Governor alongside Peter Langlois and Aldo Sappe. (Simon Langlois)
Not only was the islander responsible for conveying the Queen's coffin to the Westminster Hall catafalque last week, but also for carefully carrying it into Westminster Abbey for the State Funeral service and for transferring it onto the gun carriage to start the long procession to Wellington Arch.
Later, the group took Her Majesty into St. George's Chapel in Windsor.
Watching on was Bailiff Sir Timothy Le Cocq, who was at the service yesterday in his capacity as the island's Acting Lieutenant-Governor, the key representative of the Crown in Jersey.
Pictured: Fletcher being congratulated by former Lieutenant-Governor, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton. (Simon Langlois)
Reflecting on the "solemnity and beauty" of the service, he told The Times that one of the most emotional tributes came towards the end – the traditional lament of 'Sleep, dearie, sleep' played by a lone piper, signalling the end of the service.
The moment "caused a number of people to dab their eyes", the Bailiff recalled.
Pictured: Bailiff and Acting Lieutenant-Governor Sir Timothy Le Cocq watches the pallbearers carry Her Majesty's coffin out of Westminster Abbey at the end of the service.
Turning to the role of Jersey-born pallbearer Fletcher Cox, Sir Timothy added: "It was pleasing to me, it seemed appropriate somehow that a person from Jersey had a key role in bearing the coffin of the Her Majesty the Queen, because of the deep relationship we have with the crown, it just seemed to resonate properly.
"It must be terribly nerve-racking for them to get the step exactly right, and to do things by the inch. But obviously as these things are done they're done brilliantly."
Pictured: Fletcher taking a leading role in ceremonial duties in Jersey while part of the island's cadet force. (Simon Langlois)
"The role our Uniformed and Armed Services have played in the funeral of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been amazing," Deputy Kristina Moore said.
The Chief Minister was also full of praise for the young pallbearer.
The role our Uniformed & Armed Services have played in the funeral of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been amazing. Such dedication, precision & poise. Particularly proud of Jersey man & Grenadier Guard Fletcher Cox who carried the royal coffin. pic.twitter.com/qJxpbUEOG8
— Kristina Moore (@Moore4Jersey) September 19, 2022
"Such dedication, precision and poise. Particularly proud of Jersey man and Grenadier Guard Fletcher Cox who carried the royal coffin."
FOCUS: Farewell, Notre Duc - Jersey's long goodbye
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