Brighton Guardsman Daniel Coghlan recognised by the Queen

Her Majesty has recognised the service of soldiers and officers who played a key role in the event on what would have been Prince Philip’s 100th birthday.

Among them was guardsman Daniel Coghlan from Brighton, who was among those to carry the coffin at the ceremony.

The 32-year-old is part of the British Army’s Household Division in the Grenadier Guards and has been presented with the Victoria Medal.

He was among a group of soldiers and officers to be presented with the rare set of awards announced for the Queen’s official birthday honours.

Mr Coghlan was a friendly figure for the Duke of Edinburgh because of his height at 6ft 5ins.

His height “was alway a source of comment for the Duke when he visited the regiment” the army said.

In his parade boots and bearskin cap, his figure was almost eight feet tall.

A photo of Prince Philip with the company is framed on the wall of Mr Coghlan’s mother’s home in Sussex.

Guardsman Daniel Coghlan, 32, from Brighton

The army media team said: “The Queen has honoured Soldiers and Officers from the British Army who played a key role in the funeral of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh with a rare set of awards to mark what would have been her late husband’s 100th birthday.

“They have been made members of the Royal Victorian Order in the 'Demise Awards', with the individuals specifically chosen by the Queen.”

The army praised the work of Lieutenant Colonel Guy Stone, 48, of Notting Hill, London as the Brigade Major, and Warrant Officer Class One Andrew Stokes from Telford, Shrophsire.

“Together they mastermind the design and delivery of all the Army’s state ceremonial and public duties, ensuring standards of drill, discipline, bearing and appearance are always excellent.

“In April they had the honour but also the challenge of creating and delivering from scratch a Covid-19 compliant world-class military ceremonial funeral for HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in Windsor.

“The funeral, which was televised live, was watched by millions of people around the world and critically acclaimed as ‘truly immaculate’ and ‘fitting’.”

Garrison Sergeant Major Warrant Officer Class One Andrew Stokes and the Queen's Company, Grenadier Guards Bearer Company

Garrison Sergeant Major Warrant Officer Class One Stokes said: “I’m hugely delighted yet humbled to become a Member of the Royal Victorian Order listed in Her Majesty’s Birthday Honours list. It has come as a great surprise.

“On Saturday, in Windsor Castle, I’ll be participating in the Queen’s Birthday Parade, it will be a surreal experience, as it is every year in my role as the Garrison Sergeant Major, but in 2021 with the knowledge that I have been recognised for ‘distinguished personal service to the Monarch’ it will be a particularly proud one.

“I am hugely grateful and incredibly excited to have been formally recognised.”

Lieutenant Colonel Guy Stone said: “The biggest highlight of all my military service was the honour of leading the ceremonial delivery of the funeral of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

“ I’ve never been involved in anything before where everyone was working so hard, regardless of their role, to make it so right. That made me exceptionally proud to be part of the Armed Forces.”