08 July 2023 , 15:45
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The pallbearers who carried Queen Elizabeth II's coffin were spotted visiting Centre Court at Wimbledon inside the Royal Box.
The soldiers from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards were invited to the tennis tournament on Saturday after their service during the late monarch's funeral.
The unit had a close connection with the late Queen, as the serving monarch she held the position of company commander and made a personal review of the company every decade.
Introducing the soldiers, presenter Clare Balding told Centre Court: "Alongside the Royal Box we are also particularly proud this year to welcome and thank the team of 11 members of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards who so nobly acted as pallbearers at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
"And to the Ensign for the escort of Her Majesty's procession in London who carried the Queen's company colour, the Royal Standard of the regiment, for Her Majesty's funeral in Windsor."
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The soldiers from the Queen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards carried the coffin (Getty Images)The team were awarded the silver Royal Victorian Medal for carry out their duty during the March funeral.
The soldiers were named as recipients of honours under the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) in recognition of their service to the late Queen, as part of a special set of Demise awards.
The team of pallbearers watched on at Wimbledon this week (Javier Garcia/REX/Shutterstock)Awards under the RVO are in the King's gift and are bestowed independently of Downing Street to people who have served the monarch or the royal family in a personal way.
The pallbearers were alongside Lionesses stars and the European Women's Championship winners Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, Jill Scott and Fran Kirby.
The Royal Box is known for its celebrity guests, and is often packed during the popular summer tournament.
Most recently, the Princess of Wales Kate Middleton visited on Tuesday.
The pallbearers watched as Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz took on Chilean Nicolas Jarry (Getty Images)England cricketer Sam Curran and presenter and former England footballer Gary Lineker were also in the Royal Box.
Last year, after the Queen's death, the pallbearers who carried her won the hearts of the nation after their efforts during her state funeral.
The steady-shouldered troops from the Grenadier Guards raised Her Majesty's 35st lead-lined coffin no less than 10 times as she made her way from Westminster Hall to St George's Chapel in Windsor.
Five of the eight soldiers flew back to the UK from Iraq to carry out the honourable task just hours after her death was announced from Balmoral.
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The pallbearers, who captured the nation's hearts, enjoyed a day at Wimbledon (Javier Garcia/REX/Shutterstock)With the world watching, they then faultlessly carried the late monarch throughout the day, wearing rubber-soled boots to avoid slipping on the highly polished stone floor at Windsor.
The hero guardsmen had one last responsibility to move Her Majesty into her final resting place alongside her beloved Prince Philip.
Brass handles were used to raise and lower the box which was draped in a red and yellow Royal Standard flag to represent the Sovereign and the UK.
The Queen's orb, crown and sceptre remained fixed in place on top of her oak coffin.