Forces take part in early morning rehearsal for Queen’s funeral procession

In total there will be 88 taking part, representing ten different services, including representatives from the police services of England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the Merchant Navy and St John Ambulance.

Mr Stephens said to be part of the contingent was the “honour of a lifetime”.

The group of 88 representatives met up on Wednesday evening for a full dress rehearsal in the early hours of Thursday morning, the first of a number of rehearsals before Monday.

They will form up in Victoria Street in London and walk in full uniform for approximately 1.3 miles as part of the procession.

The role of commander alternates each year between the police and fire services, and is scheduled years in advance.

Mr Stephens first shadowed the commander role at the Remembrance Sunday service in 2020 ahead of assuming responsibility fully in 2021. The ceremonial responsibilities stay with the role-holder for 12 months from each year’s service.

Mr Stephens said: “To be a part of the contingent on behalf of all uniformed services is the honour of a lifetime.

“There has been a steadfast bond between the monarchy, and in particular The Queen, with the uniformed civilian services throughout her reign and we are proud to be able to pay our respects, and represent our services, as part of the State Funeral procession.

“Meticulous planning goes into every part of the procession, whether ceremonial or the operational and logistical support behind the scenes, all of which require a great deal of professionalism. The contingent has been assembled at short notice, from far and wide, to perform our final duty in service of Queen Elizabeth.”

The contingent is headed by four ‘senior grades’. In addition to Mr Stephens – who was the CSC commander when the contingent paraded on Remembrance Sunday in 2021 – there will be:

Alan Cook CStJ JP – a retired chief inspector who served with Essex Police for 30 years. He was appointed to coordinate all matters in relation to the CSC in 2018. A lifelong volunteer with St John Ambulance (47 years) he has held many senior positions at local and national level. He will be wearing his St John Ambulance uniform as he leads the CSC;

Captain Gary Shattock, representing the Royal Fleet Auxiliary; and

Captain Charles Woodward AFNI MN, representing the Merchant Navy.

There will also be representatives from the Merchant Navy (8); Royal Fleet Auxiliary (8); HM Coastguard (4); the police services of England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland/British Transport Police and other non-Home Office forces (16); fire and rescue services from England and Wales, Scotland and Channel Islands (16); Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (16); Statutory Ambulance Services of the United Kingdom (4); St John Ambulance (4); British Red Cross (4); and Women’s Royal Voluntary Service (4).

The CSC Marshals are Warrant Officer Class 1 Richard Parry (SO3 Ceremonial Requirements for Headquarters London District) and Major Joe Dinwiddie (Welsh Guards).