Certificates instead of medals for the Queen’s pallbearers

THE bearer party which carried the late Queen’s coffin in her funeral procession may be given a certificate rather than a medal, The Daily Telegraph has learnt.

Calls have been growing for the eight men from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards who carried the coffin in London and Windsor to be awarded medals for their role in the ceremony.

However, one defence source explained it was unlikely because their service had not “been valiant in battle”, and cautioned that to issue such accolades to the bearer party would ultimately mean “everyone who moved the coffin would have to get an award”.

“It is more likely they will get a commendation certificate,” the source said.

However, Lord Dannatt, the former head of the Army, said: “The Royal Victoria Order is given for personal service to the sovereign. What could be more personal than carrying the sovereign’s body for lying in state, as well as the state funeral?”

Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the Defence Select Committee, also called on the eight soldiers to have their efforts celebrated. “They should be recognised in the New Year’s Honours List,” he said.