The Lord Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross has spoken of his pride and awe at being in attendance at the Queen’s funeral today.
Stephen Leckie was one of 2,000 people, including international leaders, who paid their finals respects to Her Majesty at Westminster Abbey.
The event was the culmination of a busy week in which Stephen, who also runs Crieff Hydro, spent an hour gauging the public reaction to the Queen’s coffin in Westminster Hall.
‘We could hear the sound getting closer’
Stephen and his wife Fiona were among the first mourners to arrive at Westminster Abbey, taking their seats at 8am.
They were given two documents – an order or service and details of the procession that identified the personnel involved.
The organ began playing at 9.30am and international dignitaries arrived from 10am. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon took her seat at 10.30am.
“We knew the event was about to start when we started hearing the pipe bands piping in the distance,” Stephen said.
“The abbey was silent and we could hear the sound getting closer.”
‘To sing both verses was very pleasing’
The service was “perfectly timed” with the “most amazing choir and deep noise from the organ,” Stephen says.
He rates the national anthem towards the end of the service as particularly moving.
“For the first time, I suspect many of the 2,000 or so in Westminster Abbey had sang ‘God save our gracious King’. To sing both verses was very pleasing.
“It was a huge privilege and honour to be there.”
‘Sheer volume of people was breathtaking’
The 57-year-old spent Saturday at Westminster Hall to see the Queen’s coffin and laid flowers outside Buckingham Palace on Sunday.
Over the weekend he also bumped into Comrie butcher Murray Lauchlan, who queued for more than 12 hours to see the Queen’s coffin.
“Many would have been glued to the television but you couldn’t pick up the atmosphere unless you were there this weekend,” he added.
“Queues were everywhere, going somewhere but nowhere.
“In their own mind, everyone had a reason to be there.
“The sheer volume of people was breathtaking. It was like going to a rugby international.
“There were people everywhere, crammed in, all courteous, humble and calm. It was remarkable.
“There were flowers as far as the eye could see.”
‘This is unlikely to happen again’
Hobnobbing with dignitaries gave Stephen the opportunity to spread the word about the Stone of Destiny‘s return to Perth.
“And then they realised exactly the implications this will have for the UK, Scotland and Perth when the museum opens in spring 2024,” said Stephen, who has been the Lord Lieutenant for three years.
“This has to be the most memorable and privileged week and weekend of my life.
“For the past 10 days it has been the most humbling experience but also the most privileged.
“This is unlikely to happen again in our lifetime – to have 2,000 dignitaries from around the world coming here.
“The taxi driver said it was an honour to have someone who had been in the cathedral in his taxi.
“There was such a feel-good factor about this, despite the sorry circumstances.”
‘She had grace beyond elegance’
Stephen had met the Queen on half-a-dozen occasions and recalls the final time their paths crossed, at a reception at Buckingham Palace after he was made Lord Lieutenant.
“It was in the music room, just next to the grand hall,” Stephen said.
“When the Queen arrived the entire room, all 40 of us – many of us who had met her a number of times – went silent.
“She carried an air and grace with her but she is so personable and easy to chat to, comforting and relaxing.
“We had a wonderful few words about Scotland, Perth and Kinross and Balmoral.
“As she left an hour later the room went quiet and she gave us a cheery wave to say goodbye.
“She had grace beyond elegance. That is the best way to describe Her Majesty.”
Conversation