Much has been said over the last few days of the Queen's enduring loyalty to her staff - and their devotion to her. This includes Paul Whybrew, her most loyal aide, who today joined the procession carrying HRH to Westminster Hall from Buckingham Palace.
He joined some of Queen Elizabeth II’s most loyal staff, some of whom had served her for decades, in a poignant farewell to her official home. While HRH employed thousands of employees across her homes, she had an incredibly close relationship to a few trusted aides.
This includes Page of the Backstairs Paul Whybrew - nicknamed "Tall Paul" as he stood at 6ft 4in, who was one of the Queen's regular companions in her final days. He was amongst one of "the most powerful" royal aides because he was one of the most trusted, according to former royal butler Grant Harrold.
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In the Queen's final days, he spent hours watching her favourite sport with her, and delivering her daily edition of the Racing Post for her perusal.
He accompanied the coffin as the Queen left Buckingham Palace for the final time, with the King and the royal family walking behind her coffin in solemn procession to the lying in state.
He previously accompanied the queen in her famous skit for the 2012 Olympic Games with James Bond actor Daniel Craig.
The decision to invite some of the senior household staff follows Prince Philip's request for six members of his staff to walk behind his coffin
This included his personal protection officer, his private secretary, two pages and two valets.
Royal watchers noted his presence, as one wrote: "Several members of the Queen's close staff, including her trusted page, "Tall" Paul Whybrew, are included in this procession. Love that.
"He was one of the few that remained close with her during the pandemic, and he was featured in that famous James Bond sketch."
Another shared: "At the head of the procession, walking behind the band, is this man — the Queen’s page and sergeant-at-arms Paul Whybrew. He’s been by the Queen’s side for 44 years of her 70 year reign. Companion as well as servant. Now accompanying her one last time."
Pulled on a gun carriage of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the coffin was draped with a Royal Standard and adorned with the priceless, glittering Imperial State Crown.
Taking the lead was the pomp and pageantry of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and military bands.
Thousands of mourners flocked to see the moving sight of the Queen departing the official residence where she spent so much of her working life at the heart of the nation, with viewing areas declared full ahead of the procession starting.
The Queen had arrived at her former home on Tuesday evening in gloom and rain but for her departure from the palace the weather was bright and warm.
The King walked in line with the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex.
Behind the quartet were the Queen’s grandsons in a line – Peter Phillips, the Duke of Sussex and the Prince of Wales – who were followed by the late monarch’s son-in-law Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of Gloucester, the Queen’s cousin, and her nephew the Earl of Snowdown.
The Queen’s coffin was transported on the George Gun Carriage, which carried King George VI’s coffin from Sandringham Church to Wolferton Station in February 1952 and was used during the funeral of the Queen Mother in 2002.
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