Head of British Army 'honoured' to carry Queen Consort's sceptre during coronation
The head of the British Army is "very honoured" to be carrying the Queen Consort's sceptre during the coronation.
General Sir Patrick Sanders will join numerous other military personnel with ceremonial roles at the coronation service.
The Chief of the General Staff, who on Tuesday met Commonwealth military personnel taking part in the coronation, told Forces News: "I was very honoured when Her Majesty asked me to carry her sceptre in the procession in Westminster Abbey, and that's on the basis of the very close connection she has with my former regiment the Rifles."
General Sir Patrick added: "She was the Royal Colonel of the battalion when I was the Commanding Officer, and she was simply amazing."
General Sir Patrick will carry the sceptre to the altar at Westminster Abbey during the coronation ceremony.
More than 50 people, including representatives from orders of chivalry, the military and wider public life, have been chosen to take part in the historic proceedings, and were selected to represent the nation due to their significant service, the Palace said.
More than 6,000 men and women of the UK Armed Forces will take part in the whole coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Saturday 6 May.
Nearly 400 Armed Forces personnel from at least 35 Commonwealth countries will also be on parade to mark the historic moment.
'They understand what it means to be part of the military'
General Sir Patrick expressed similar sentiments to Britain's most senior sailor, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key, when speaking about the Royal Family's relationship with the Armed Forces.
The Chief of the General Staff said: "The Royal Family, I think more than any other family, recognise and understand what it means to serve.
"His Majesty is the son of a father and mother who served, he served himself in two of the services, gained his parachute wings as Colonel-in-Chief of the Parachute Regiment.
"And, of course, he is the father of two sons who served, and felt the same acute anxiety that any parent does feel when their son or daughter is deployed.
"They understand what it means to be part of the military, and it's the bond of service, of dedication and sacrifice that brings the Armed Forces and the Royal Family together."
He added: "We are deeply honoured to have such a close affiliation with them."
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