An officer from the Grenadier Guards had a very special family connection when he took part in the procession at the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Second Lieutenant (2Lt) Archie Denison-Smith, of the Grenadier Guards, carried his Regiment’s King’s Colour but he was also carrying the sword that his great-grandfather wore at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
As the King’s Colour Ensign, 2Lt Denison-Smith marched at the head of the Grenadier Guards’ detachment in the procession of more than 5,000 military personnel that escorted Their Majesties King Charles III and The Queen Consort from Saturday’s coronation service at Westminster Abbey back to Buckingham Palace.
In preparation, Archie took part in large scale rehearsals that turned the individual soldier’s polishing of their kit and units’ drill practice into a glittering spectacle fit to mark the crowning of a new King and Queen.
The 24-year-old said: “I’m really honoured to have been part of the coronation, to have both a prestigious role as Ensign and be on parade as the fourth generation of my family to have served in the Grenadier Guards. Everyone has worked really hard and the rehearsals went well. It was amazing to add another significant event to what my great-grandfather’s sword has taken part in.”
It was amazing to add another significant event to what my great-grandfather’s sword has taken part in
Since the Coronation, the Grenadier Guards are enjoying a period of leave before they go straight into training for an exercise in Kenya. Archie added, “It’s my first overseas exercise, and I’m looking forward to commanding my platoon through some hard soldiering.”