Sailors who carried the Queen’s coffin show they were overcome with pride and sadness

Awe-inspiring sailors who carried the Queen’s coffin by hand have revealed how they were overcome with pride, joy and sadness after completing their historic duty.

Sailors sobbed, cheered and hugged each other — out of sight of the public — as commanders gave the final order to “down drag,” meaning their duty was done.

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Able seaman Shauna Broderick, 25, said: “It was unreal. I had a few tears.”

Royal Navy nurse Jess King, 32, said: “We hugged and cried. It was a moment of relief, happiness and pride.

“We knew we had done it and we had done well.”

Captain Catherine Jordan, 47, the commander of the gun carriage crew, said: “The most emotional part was seeing the coffin drive off to the sound of the national anthem.”

Commander Steve Elliott, 49, second in command, said it was “an incredible honor” to take part.

He added, “We all had to keep our emotions under control.”