Ghorkhas at Westminster

[gunhou]

I noted in news coverage of the funeral cortege of Queen Mother Elizabeth today a group of bagpipers. Most were in full Highland regalia, as would be expected. But prominent in the forefront was a small brown-skinned piper wearing a 'Gurka Regiment' kepi with the crossed khukuris and lion badge of the unit. He was backed up by another Ghorkha in the second rank.
I thought the 'Gurka' regiments had been disbanded...but obviously there are enough of them left to make an appearance at the funeral of their Queen Mother of yore.
Two Spitfires and a Lancaster bomber did a flyover, too.
A nice send-off for a noble lady.

 

[Berkley]

I doubt if therewas an able-bodied bagpiper - Celt, Angle, Saxon, Gorkha or anything else - who wasn't at the Queen Mum's ceremony.

 

[Walosi]

I saw the one in the lead, but was stopped by the sight of a Gorkha with pipes. Confirmed when the byte was re-run later. Crown Prince Pala was there, but the cameras only caught the Gorkhas

 

[Bill Martino]

For any Royal function some Gorkhas are always present.

 

[redvenom]

One retired British Gorkha officer said of them: "Bravest of the brave, never had a country more loyal friends than you"

Andrew Limsk

 

[Bill Martino]

And that's the truth. Too bad they don't remember this when figuring retirement pay.