HM Lord Lieutenant pays respects at Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth's Funeral

HM Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire and Swindon, Mrs Sarah Rose Troughton, paid her deepest personal respects and said her final goodbye to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, at the historic monarch's funeral in Westminster Abbey yesterday (19 September).

 The Lord Lieutenant was a guest  alongside her husband Mr Peter Troughton CVO CBE, joining world leaders and former Prime Ministers among the congregation. Mrs and Mr Troughton also attended the more intimate Committal ceremony at St George's Chapel later in the day, which was attended by some of those who knew the Queen best, including members of the family and past and present members of the Queen's Household.

The Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Sarah Rose Troughton, said:

" It was an honour and a privilege to attend the state funeral on behalf of Wiltshire and Swindon, and the committal at St George's Chapel. It afforded us the opportunity to pay our personal respects to her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

"It was an incredibly moving and emotional day with an inescapable sense that we were experiencing living history.

 "The funeral was a unique occasion to witness the incredible grandeur, ceremonial displays, wonderful music, and processions. It was also a day full of small personal moments, reflections and a chance for us all to remember Her late Majesty the Queen in our own ways.

"Peter and I were lucky enough to sit in the front row of the nave and will never forget the coffin passing closely by us with the diamonds in the Imperial State Crown, Orb and Sceptre sparkling brightly, followed by HM The King and his family.

"Later in Windsor, as the coffin arrived at St George's Chapel, the haunting sound of the massed bands and pipes with the slow beat of the muffled drums filtered up the nave and the atmosphere was palpable. It was an unforgettable occasion.

"I would also like to once again thank everyone for all the tributes and condolences that have poured in from around the county as a whole, as well as the support at the many local events that have taken place since the sad news of Her Late Majesty's death. I know how much it has meant to His Majesty King Charles III and his family.".

Members of the public still have time to share their personal thoughts and memories; there are books of condolence at each of the council's hubs (County Hall, Monkton Park and Bourne Hill) and all Wiltshire Council libraries and mobile libraries and they will be available until their respective closing hours today (20 September). An online book of condolence can be found at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/registration-service/royal-memorial-events/commemorating-her-majesty-queen-elizabeth-ii, and that's also available until the end of the day (20 September). So far more than 1,250 people have signed the online book of condolence.