Coronation guard of honour rehearsals at HMS Excellent
Royal Navy sailors have spoken of their pride at taking part in the King's coronation as they carry out rehearsals for the guard of honour.
More than 900 naval personnel will march in London on May 6 with 60 taking part in the tri-service guard of honour.
The personnel have been making final drill rehearsals with the Royal Marines Band Plymouth at HMS Excellent on Whale Island, Portsmouth.
The band drummers have been kitted out with a new drum for the occasion featuring the royal cypher and the King's crown.
Lieutenant Victoria Rogers, 48, from Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute, will be following in the footsteps of her late father, Trevor, who took part in the Queen's coronation while serving in the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
Inspired by her father, she had wanted to join the Army but the King's Troop was not taking women at the time so she joined the Royal Navy as an Environmental Health Officer (HO) in 2019 having been in the reserves for seven years.
She said: ‘We grew up hearing all his stories and everything about the coronation when he actually did it, I never thought I would get the chance so to actually be in the services whilst this is occurring and to be chosen to carry the Colour is more than I ever could possibly have imagined. I'm so honoured.
‘I was a bit of a daddy's girl,
I am sure he is watching me from somewhere and making him proud and to be able to walk in his footsteps is brilliant. It's a dream.’
A navy spokesman said: ‘For the navy, the parade is a chance to honour and celebrate 'one of its own': the then Prince of Wales served between 1971 and 1976, rising to command minesweeper HMS Bronington before returning to royal duties.
‘The event also sees the largest number of Royal Marines
on parade in nearly a decade - and an opportunity for the corps to march for the first time for their new captain general, an honorary title famously held for decades by the King's late father.
‘Given the significance of the occasion - the first in 70 years - many personnel of all ranks and branches, drawn from ships, submarines, Fleet Air Arm squadrons, Royal Marines units and bases throughout the UK have volunteered to participate.’