A SAILOR has spoken of his "privilege" playing a vital role in the Queen's funeral procession.
Lieutenant Commander Michael 'Mike' Bray from Hamble was one of the Royal Navy personnel on the gun carriage carrying the Queen's coffin.
The 46-year-old said it was a moment that can "never be recreated" and said he was "privileged" to be a part of Monday's events.
Both Mike and his wife, Lieutenant Commander Marie Whitehouse, are serving members of the Royal Navy and have served for 26 years and 19 years retrospectively.
Mike is a deputy staff weapon engineer officer at Portsmouth Flotilla and Marie is a principal warfare officer and ASW specialist.
Mike and Marie were both on paternity leave following the birth of their second daughter.
When she was only 10 days old, Mike received a call with the sad news of the Queen's death and was asked to play his part in the procession.
He left for work and spent a week in London practicing towing the 123-year-old gun carriage.
On Monday, September 19, thousands of members of the armed forces took part in the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Marie stayed at home with now 21-day-old Beatrice and two-year-old Eleanor, and watched on proudly from home.
Mike said: "It has been a privilege, it is something that can never be recreated. I will remember this forever.
"Everyone was nervous, there was a nervous energy, but the whole team did amazing.
"It was all about focusing on getting this right, that was all you could think about.
"Everyone was focused and we all pulled together.
"Afterwards, we were all exhausted, that nervous energy caught up.
"It's been unreal, I feel like we have been in a bubble in all of this training and it wasn't until I got home that it hit me what I have just done."
Marie said: "I am incredibly proud, we sat at home glued to the screen with both daughters.
"My two-and-a-half-year-old was enthralled watching daddy on TV.
"It has been very emotional and exhausting, but so incredible."
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