A TRIBUTE TO HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II

Written by Amanda Forsyth (Ar 1982–1984)

On Thursday 8th September 2022, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed away. She had been residing at Balmoral for some weeks, and remained actively involved in her duties as Sovereign to the very end.

Immediately, the project codenamed ‘Operation Unicorn’ was put into action – the title under which plans had been drawn together many years previously, should the Queen die in Scotland. At St Giles’ Cathedral, those plans had particular significance, and as a member of the St Giles’ Kirk Session, and its Cathedral Choir, I was to participate in the Service of Thanksgiving for Her Majesty’s life which would take place with all due solemnity, while being broadcast to the world.

On Monday 12th September, we provided an hour of organ and choral music for the congregation before the arrival of the Royal Party at the Kirk. As the Queen’s coffin was carried to its plinth, the choir sang Samuel S Wesley’s introit “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee”. The pressure of flawless performance was never greater!

As soon as the service ended, and the Royal Party and congregation had left, the Cathedral became a new hive of activity, being reconfigured to allow two lines of mourners to file past the coffin. All of this time, a guard formed of four members of the Royal Company of Archers, the monarch’s bodyguard in Scotland, stood in silent watch, heads bowed – an oasis of calm. It was then I had my own moment of reflection, alone before the coffin.

At around 6pm, the first of more than thirty thousand members of the public began to stream through the building. As Elder on duty, it was my job to welcome them as they arrived; many were in tears as they entered the Cathedral. It also fell to me to greet His Majesty when The Queen’s four children came to hold their own vigil – another great honour in a momentous day.

When I left later that night, I walked home through the Meadows. I will never forget the sight of thousands of people queueing on every one of the paths that zigzag across the area, shuffling forward a few feet at a time, patiently and good-humouredly waiting for their turn to pay their respects at St Giles’.

In such a manner, Scotland said farewell to an extraordinary Monarch.

Amanda Forsyth (Ar 1982–1984) greeting His Majesty at St Giles’.

Photograph: Jacob King/Alamy

From left to right, Douglas Beard (PS-Gl 2009–2015), Hugh Dingwall (Mo 2009–2014) and Tom Ogilvy (Inv-Ki 1996–2003) all in the Scots Guards who stood vigil by Her Majesty’s coffin in Westminster Hall on Thursday 15th September at 1800 until 0001.

Hugh Dingwall (Mo 2009–2014) wrote: ‘It was an honour to be involved in a Vigil for the late Queen and to have had three old Fettesians currently serving in the Scots Guards together.’

Christopher McCorkell (Mo 1999–2006) stood watch as part of the King’s Bodyguard for Scotland, the Royal Company of Archers, during the Lying-at-Rest in St Giles’ Cathedral, as HM Queen Elizabeth II spent her final night in Scotland.

James Robertson (Gl 1976–1981) (standing vigil top left) wrote: ‘I was honoured to have been on duty as a member of the Royal Company of Archers, The Kings Bodyguard of Scotland, during Her Majesty The Queen’s funeral. I was one of four Archers to stand Vigil at St Giles’ Cathedral. The 1st Vigil took place during the service of Thanksgiving attended by The King. ‘I was then asked to travel to London to be on duty at Westminster Hall for the final Vigils the night before the State Funeral. My first Vigil was at 0020hrs once again for 20 minutes. This time there were only two Archers standing at the front of the coffin. My colleague and I stood Vigil five times through the night with the final Vigil at 0540 finishing at 0600 on the Monday. To have been part of this historic moment was not only a huge honour but something that I will remember for the rest of my life.’