WHAT AN HONOUR! ...Harry leads the band at Prince Philip’s funeral
AN infantry soldier from Derby who has served in Afghanistan will have the honour of leading the Band of Grenadier Guards at Prince Philip’s funeral this afternoon.
Senior Drum Major Harry Sutton of the Grenadier Guards will have the eyes of the world on him during the solemn event that will be watched by millions.
Having been promoted on the day that the Duke of Edinburgh died, the funeral will be his first ceremonial duty as Senior Drum Major, Household Division Bands and Corps of Drums.
His high-profile role will see him lead the Band of the Grenadier Guards in full state dress at the funeral procession at Windsor Castle.
It will be members of the Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards who will move the Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin from a private chapel to the castle’s Inner Hall.
“I took over this role on the same day of the announcement of the death of
Prince Philip, it was quite a shock knowing my first parade would be his funeral,” he said.
The Senior Drum Major for the Household Division is a prestigious position for an infantry soldier to reach.
The former Nijmegen company pay sergeant has served in Afghanistan, Kenya, the Falklands, Canada and on a United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.
Just a few days into his new job he said: “It will be an honour to be leading the Band of the Grenadier Guards regardless of circumstances, however, it will be an extremely sad day too, not only because its Prince Philip’s funeral but also the funeral
of our former Colonel of the Grenadier Guards. I will be thinking about ensuring I do everything correctly on Parade to ensure the Duke of Edinburgh has the faultless funeral that he deserves.”
In his new role, the 32-year-old soldier will also be responsible for leading the troops out onto Horse Guards Parade at the Trooping the Colour, in London, and other globally important state occasions.
It was quite a shock knowing my first parade would be the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral.
Harry Sutton