FIJIAN GUARD ON ROYAL DUTY
With the eyes of the world on St George’s Chapel and Windsor Castle for the royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the weekend, not many knew that Fiji too had a part to play on the big day. And while American Anglican cleric the Most Reverend Michael Curry became the undoubted star of the event with a passionate sermon, a Fijian soldier with the British Army quietly went about his duty to ensure that the day and ceremony went off without a hitch.
He was Peni Qio, originally of Naceva, Beqa, who is with the Queen’s Household Mounted Cavalry.
He was part of the Mounted team that escorted Prince Harry’s procession through the streets of Windsor after marrying US actress Meghan Markle on Saturday night (Fijian time). Those from the British Military taking part were specially selected because of their exceptional service or links with the then Prince Harry during his military service, including in Afghanistan.
Mr Qio is one of three Fijians who are part of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
The other two are from the province Nadroga – Elima Nawari from Tubeirata, Nadroga, and Jale Galuvakadua from Draiba, Navosa. This was confirmed to the
Fiji Sun by Republic of Fiji Military Force (RFMF) Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) Betty Chandra, who is currently studying at Oxford University.
“I was proud to see Peni in the escort team,” she said. WOI Chandra said she was part of the crowd who watched the procession. She said she had earlier met the three and they told her that one of them would be part of the escort team during the wedding. While they did not disclose the nature of their work they told WO1 Chandra that they were honoured to serve the Queen. According to Wikipedia, the Household Cavalry is made up of the two most senior regiments in the British Army: The Life Guards and The Blues & Royals.
It’s divided into the Household Cavalry Regiment and the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.