An Ashfield man who carried the Queen’s coffin on Monday has ‘done the country proud’, a council leader said.
Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest following a ceremony at Westminster Abbey on September 19.
Luke Simpson, from Selston in Ashfield, was one of eight 1st Batallion Grenadier Guards to carry the coffin at the state funeral.
And Joel Meakin from Sutton-in-Ashfield was also praised for helping to put together the public address system in London on the day of the funeral.
King Charles III was proclaimed as the new Monarch after ascending to the throne immediately after The Queen’s passing on September 8.
Leader of Ashfield District Council Jason Zadrozny said Mr Simpson, a former Ashfield school pupil, had carried out his duties “impeccably”.
Nottinghamshire County Councillors paid tribute to the Queen during the authority’s full council meeting on September 22.
The council has also set up a working group to look at how it can commemorate the life of The Queen in Nottinghamshire.
Councillor Jason Zadrozny (Ind) said: “Luke Simpson from Selston, a former Ashfield school pupil, was one of the proud 1st Batallion Grenadier guards to carry the Queen’s coffin from Westminster Hall to the gun carriage, before taking it on to its final plot at Westminster abbey.
“What an amazing job he did, we are so very proud of him.
“Those eight lads were faultless, they had a difficult duty and they carried it out impeccably.
“A lead-lined coffin made of English oak and the crown jewels on top and never a step out of place with the eyes of half the world on them.
“Well done Luke, you did Ashfield and you did your country proud.
“Joel Meakin from Sutton in Ashfield was part of the team who put together the public address system that millions of people listened to on the parks and streets of London.
“Dozens of our local officers from the force were called up to support operations for the funeral, lying in state and committal.
“On behalf of the Independent Alliance, God rest the Queen and long live the King.”
Leader of the council Ben Bradley MP added that Her Majesty’s death was “the end of an era and the start of a new one”.
He said: “Whatever people’s views of the monarchy as an institution, her Majesty the Queen was almost universally respected and loved here and around the world.
“She’s been a constant presence in our lives to the point that many of us felt that we knew her.”
Councillor Kate Foale (Lab) added: “I give thanks to Queen Elizabeth.
“Her exceptional life of public service was accomplished with real care and dignity. Her duty was unparalleled.
“I would thank the people involved in organising the proclamation in Nottinghamshire.
“Watching families come to those historic occasions was great to see how they were being moved.”
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