The Queen's television state funeral will have drawn in millions from around the world as the beloved late monarch was laid to rest. Queen Elizabeth II's final journey from London to her beloved Windsor took place on Monday, September 19, following a moving service at Westminster Abbey.
Twelve days after the nation’s longest-reigning monarch died, the last steps of her journey towards her final resting place began in New Palace Yard with a procession to Westminster Abbey. King Charles III stood in line with his siblings the Princess Royal, Duke of York and Earl of Wessex, behind the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy, for a moment of silence before the journey on-foot to the historic location began.
The Prince of Wales, Duke of Sussex and Peter Phillips all followed behind the coffin for the short walk to the Abbey. They were then joined by their partners and Prince George and Princess Charlotte as they followed the coffin into the Abbey for the start of the service.
As the emotional family left the Abbey, dozens of members of staff gathered outside Buckingham Palace to bid farewell to the Queen they served on her final journey. Palace employees filed out of the royal residence and lined up outside its gates to pay tribute to the late Queen.
The Queen’s coffin was flanked by people she had known well, her equerries, drawn from the military to organiser her diary, and soldiers from the Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards – soldiers she personally commanded. Behind her coffin were Charles and his siblings – the Princess Royal, Duke of York and Earl of Wessex – who were followed by the monarch’s three grandsons, Peter Phillips, Duke of Sussex and Prince of Wales.
The royal women travelled behind in state limousines with the Princess of Wales and her children George and Charlotte with the Queen Consort and the Duchess of Sussex travelling with the Countess of Wessex. Her coffin was taken through London from Westminster to Wellington Arch on a gun carriage, before being transferred into the state hearse for the journey to her Berkshire home of Windsor Castle and a committal service.
The State Hearse then arrived at Windsor Castle before a procession of the Queen’s coffin down the Long Walk was led by the Dismounted Detachment of the Household Cavalry Regiment, the 1st Division of the Sovereign’s Escort and massed pipes and drums. The procession approached the castle to the applause of members of the public lining the route.
But those watching the historic and emotional event couldn't help but notice someone sticking out among the procession due to his height. @JosPearce tweeted: "I’ve just caught 30 seconds of the funeral….who is the exceptionally tall man?!?!!! #queensfuneral."
@HelsJN asked: "Who is the incredibly tall man striding out in front? Stoic. #QueenElizabeth." @kyladkerr wrote: "Who is this insanely tall man? Is this the royal Slenderman?" @WeinhouseH posted: "That very tall man in the funeral procession, a member of the royal household, must be the royal light bulb changer!"
To answer the question, it is believed that the very tall man is Matthew Magee, a former assistant private secretary to the late Queen and stands at an astonishing 7ft 2in tall. He was appointed to the role in 2018 and was often mistaken for a royal protection officer. Mr Magee was previously the Duke of Kent Prince Edward's private secretary.
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