Veterans at Queen’s funeral spotted with King-sized hip flask

·Breaking News Editor, Yahoo News UK

Mon, 19 September 2022 at 4:44 pm

A veteran drinks from a flask on The Mall on the day of the state funeral and burial of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth in London, Britain September 19, 2022. REUTERS/Kevin Coombs — A veteran drinks from a flask on The Mall on as the nation mourns the Queen. (PA)

It was a sombre occasion for millions of Britons which may have seen some require a strong drink as they bade farewell to the Queen.

And one veteran who witnessed Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral was spotted swigging from a particularly distinctive flask with his former armed forces colleagues.

As thousands gathered along the Mall and throughout London to pay their final respects to the late Queen following her death at the age of 96, the serviceman was seen taking a drink from a giant hip flask.

He was decorated in badges and medals showing his service to the Queen and his country, with a poppy in remembrance pinned to his chest.

On his head is a maroon beret, which is often the mark of airborne troops in the British military.

During a day of such grief for the nation, having lost a monarch of over 70 years, the hip flask provided a moment of light relief.

Veterans talk with each other on The Mall on the day of the state funeral and burial of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth in London, Britain September 19, 2022. REUTERS/Kevin Coombs — Veterans talk with each other on The Mall on the day of the state funeral of the Queen. (PA)

Following an emotional service in Westminster Abbey attended by the Queen’s family and foreign dignitaries from across the world, the Queen was brought on a procession through London, passing down the Mall and past Buckingham Palace for a final time.

The crowd broke into applause and cheers after the Queen’s coffin passed them and circled round the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace.

Members of the royal family, including the King, remained expressionless as they marched behind, while other members of the royal family, including the Princess of Wales, looked on at the crowds as they passed them in vehicles.

The State Gun Carriage carries the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, in the Ceremonial Procession down The Mall, following her State Funeral at Westminster Abbey, London. Picture date: Monday September 19, 2022. Photo credit should read: Matt Crossick/Empics — Thousands gathered in central London to pay their final respects to the monarch. (Reuters)

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: The Queen's funeral cortege borne on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy travels along The Mall and around the Queen Victoria Memorial on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. Chip Somodevilla/Pool via REUTERS — Millions watched around the globe as a nation in mourning staged a final goodbye to its cherished longest-serving monarch. (Reuters)

Once the coffin reached Buckingham Palace, members of staff at the palace bowed and curtsied both at the coffin and members of the royal family as they made their way past.

The Queen’s state funeral was unprecedented in scale and grandeur for a sovereign incomparable in duty and service.

Millions watched around the globe as a nation in mourning staged a final goodbye to its cherished longest-serving monarch.

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