ROLE GIVES SPECIAL INSIGHT TO FUNERAL

Can you imagine the range of emotions Cairns grandmother Janice Robinson was feeling during the televised funeral of Prince Philip? She received the shock of her life when she realised her daughter was front row centre.

Miriam Allan caught the world’s attention during the funeral when she was chosen as just one of four to sing at the Duke’s final farewell.

Ms Allan resides at the famed Windsor Castle and is married to another lay clerk of St George’s Chapel, Richard Bannan.

Ms Allan, sworn to secrecy, couldn’t even tell her mum of her enormous role, which would be beamed across the globe. Mrs Robinson, understandably, was surprised but delighted when she recognised Ms Allan on TV.

Reading Mrs Robinson’s story is a reminder that the Royals are just ordinary people when you boil it down.

She says Ms Allan didn’t want to make eye contact with the Queen for fear of losing control of her emotions – because she knows this woman beyond her being “Her Majesty”.

There has been enormous media coverage of the Duke’s death, his role in the monarchy and the special relationship he had with his wife, the Queen.

Beneath all of the headlines updating on the relationship between brothers Harry and William, tumultuous times between Charles and his father, Meghan not being able to attend and an enduring marriage, what played out under the fierce glare of the world is simply life.

Ms Allan sang for one of their parishioners who had lost her long-time partner and had to endure it under strict COVID restrictions.

There would be many in this world who would have empathised with Her Majesty about that.